




























Class Y 

Book_ZEx2us: 

CpfpgIitN® 


CfififfilGHT DEPOSm 




% 





? •• 



r. 





i 

y.K,. 


’’■‘f 

• i - ■ 

’f ^ .Ic i . •» 

\^j mA - 4 ' i 


‘.f ’ 

j. .■ 


,•> 



« 

♦ ’ 


H f 




e 




» I 




4 '.« 


t. 


. 14 

V • ti .- - 




k 





■ * * 1 »< 
“■ <*» 

■ : 

V' 

• 0 

• '. 

> T* 

f* 

' “' V 

1 { * 

4; 

. f ' * • 

■3' 

.-7^ 

•. f. ■• 

« 




y\ 




■ 

'■'■'1 


/ “ 


. t 

'•\ I 


/ . 


> v ^•.'.■/^^ J-‘. 


V, 


I ^ 


V. jr^jy 

.’ i *! ,‘i i '' 33 ' ' 




li 



V 

Ur 


►I* 




I/ . 

IC ' ■ ' r ■ •' r < ^ ' ’14 * 

•■' . .'ri .-• 


- > 4 *ti 





4 & % v 


•t 




'V »' 
■< / 


S' 




, < 'X 1 


v 7 y^. 


'•I 


,* 


N 




\t .. 



A 


/ “ “V •. A ‘ii ^ ' . > VrAijS: 

r-i vc.si.r ‘>p« 

. - - . ' v '■'t***' ■ ^ Bi 



^TwSsjStc^^ ' * / 1 / 

**V pxK ■-?S ^ 

**-.' » • . i » • '* » » I . ■^» -j 

^ > 4 . . * • * ' > ^ \ 


■ 0 . 



' >> ’ 





*■; 


i I 

4 * 


V.. 

• 


r . ' 


« « I 


. V 


'-?; 


VV - ^ 





‘ * W V • b 


' 4 -. . * 






*> w : ' 


» 


' ». 


. *~i y 




)wrv 










V : . 


II 




M. r .• ' • .''rTv 

•: .V';; ' -s 



.■\v " :i'.:-^ * 


S 3 (»^”'> ’ * 

:'k-j 



;v t\ 




V T> 


-,* 


- •. ’ -^ii-KTv . - v'-^; 

'■■- '■■W;'' '^■-■ 3 ? : ■ ,'■■■..• 

'J'*’ '■ t ^'•^**‘* “^'i ’ ■''‘' f 

7 .'v x>.. 

' ■ ^- •■' ' I- 


•'.• 4 a ' •' . • ■' Y>--' 

't VUM 





iU’*:. r 

W IK A * * *1 V w» ^ 


kv. 



*» -‘ « 




•U. t- 

k - ■ 





1 • 



\ 


-"Jji ' I :■-..> .3[^i . 

■ 4 ^* % i«A 

•*l '**>i '•. Jl 


•' I 



» i 


r^j 


-i I 




V 


• • .. • '..r- ' 
i i* • < 




» t** .k 


■feiKCk i^'H;'-' ■' . . 

. ■■ > '%’r^ 


B ->7 ;-^f 

» : . r ■«. 


r ( 


\ 


.•^ ' V ’*- 




\ ^v,< 


w 



'1 


.X’ 


- ' V > ' 

.i y.i . I ‘ 

- 1 iS. 


'.A-,?’ 




iti* i 







4.k 









/ 











A f 




1 


'■Mi 


W 


'>1 





'« • ' t 




'Tiy ■"'' '.' • >, 1 '''iWy"; 

• ; ;. > :k;fr., ■ • :,:v, • 



rt'Vi /»• .•V7 ’.', • » i % .StfPf J4iykijyvu'f:r?.»w /s ^ ^ ' 

. • ; '. > :%!ff.:, ■ ■ ;, V, • 

‘\i' I )■'/■ •■ . 'i • ‘ ^ V'')» i ./j 

■ : a':.;''V :4v. '•s'vvM';v’‘^'a'^ 

' ■' ;v'v 




i ' l^tV CIHIIH ■ ' • /i V''^' ' 



•••' ^ ■/.*'!. 

• . I 


- *. . . V c- . \ l-'I 

* ■ ‘ ' ' . ' ' . . {W*. 

• ■ ['•">; •' VV «mw}' 


. » ^ f 


k>' . 'ji v’ 
VV-s’'. '^' - V . . '*1 

. ■■ ■ t , • ''V 


• '■! 




LS'i 




I ' • 


■- 0 ]: '-. '"'‘S 




V , 






If 


' ">'»"■ V,'!'-'. ff. /' V, ■- '^u. 


■\T - r i) ^.u 




t. 















The h^sca])e. 




.1 





« 



1 


SAM STEELE’S 
ADVENTURES 

In Panama 


Br 

CAPT. HUGH FITZGERALD 



CHICAGO 

THE REILLY & BRITTON CO. 
PUBLISHERS 



limHASYof CONGRESS 
Two Couies Received 

AUG 23 •90/' 

Ceoyncht Entry 

CLASSy/^ 'axc„'no. 

!S5C^2> 

COPY a. 


Copyright, 1907, 

BY 

THE REILLY & BRITTON CO. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter Page 

I. I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage ... 9 

II. I Ship a Queer Passenger 22 

III. The Moit Convertible Automobile ... 33 

IV. We Come to Grief 56 

V. Making the Best of It 71 

VI. The Dead Man’s Story 84 

VII. The Folly of the Wise 100 

VIII. The San Blas Country 116 

IX. Facing the Enemy 128 

X. Nalig-Nad 137 

XL Princess Ilalah 153 

XII. War is Declared 170 

XIII. We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 182 

XIV. We Astonish Our Foes 195 

XV. We Search for the Valley 213 

XVI. The Arrow-Maker 224 

XVII. A Woodland Wonderland 241 

XVIII. The Princess Disappears 255 

XIX. We Attempt a Rescue 265 

XX. Outwitted 275 

XXL The Sacrifice 285 

XXII. The Thrust of a Spear 293 

XXI 11 . The Deserter 299 

XXIV. We Leave Panama 307 




If- / * f • ■ 



. • - I . 

4)i‘‘/u- • 

/Uu\*‘r.''>'l 


fl‘/"v- ■ : ■ ;■'( ) 1 ‘ ^ 1 ', ' / -I ‘^:l-»?h0,'!<K,‘'>' f- • 
Vv.V t v. 'fiv f ' /A ' - ,*' 'v'Ai^yW 


*■-, '-^'*^^>'7 


, ^ 

-’ ■■♦*• 


.1'' 


M 


' ■ * t / '.' ' ' I ' i*V- *' * 




* ■••; 




A ' f 


■ '.■«• 




m-' 






jm -r 


'i. . t ‘ 


• n 




V'l 




h s. 


yV.-^ , 




i^y./ 


*:v 


M.ii 


•NK 




tvri^ 


% 


■ t v:;* 


4" 


I f? 








I/;.'' 




•;'l 




m'^i 


^.i.V'. 


,<tf: 


I I' 


ir< 









L ' ' / . .‘ 


1 , 

•/'.' ,'^'. ■ ■ ' 'T 

sV. 


I . 


u 






■ 

■V ot; 


» I 

l» •! 


7,1, 



• I < 

? 3 t-. ■';.' ■■ 


' ■ • • ' ■ - ••. ■ . •• ."4 V . ' • 

■ •'*. mSL2^ \ / v.v ^> *.'•*■ 
4 ' MBM >-/-y a >- f > 


I I 


1^ 



iw/'r •' ■' •','■• f 

I • ' ' I *, ■ 

fy V f'-'-. ' 

, .''' ' .' ' : 

Wl"" .' "' ••(' 

.y. . I 1 ' ' 

fM » if 


I . .' I . ’■■• • 


i ' / 




- V , 




‘A? : 


^c. 



tf 

‘i 


i 


‘I 


fi 

f 

at 



. ', / 




..iv 


k^M 


iv; 


M >. 







LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

FROM ORIGINAL PAINTINGS BY 

HOWARD HEATH 

The Escape Frontispiece 

The Arrow Must Have Killed Him Instantly , . 84 

“Any Speak Englis’?” 124 

“Diamonds! They are Magnificent!” .... 246 

He Drew the Bowstring to His Chin 290 


• • ’ 1 ■ ' ' . • :«;■», vv^v V 

, 'I ’ ' <,*.>* 's’ ‘ 

bbk; 



'U K\ IV 

*' '■!•.< 


I'-I'i '■ i' 

V ' r * • vt'*'' 







it/ 


, Oi 

I 

I 


(> 





;P^ 


,:;■ y v ' 

\j\i 

i , 

. 

TOi • ' ' Vm' ' •, 1 ' \ r' i •' i-' ^'' . '"'■'t'^*' 

• '(^-vn «■ ■" 


¥ 




I 





.A.^i ,., fv, 

!>: . , ,< ,v\J'V,;'^\ 

' .■ :;Vr::,r , • ; 


/./.V.V- > -'’•, ■ ’ .■tiv . 




SAM STEELE’S ADVENTURES 
IN PANAMA 

CHAPTER I 

I UNDERTAKE A HAZARDOUS VOYAGE 

The bark N ehuchadnesar came staggering 
into Chelsea harbor in a very demoralized condi- 
tion. Her main and mizzen masts were both 
gone, the bulwarks were smashed in, the poop 
swept away, and she leaked so badly that all the 
short-handed crew were nearly ready to drop 
from the exhausting labor of working the pumps. 
For after weathering a dreadful storm in which 
the captain and mate were washed overboard, to- 
gether with five of the men, those remaining had 
been forced to rig up a square-sail on the fore- 
mast and by hook or crook to work the dismantled 
hulk into harbor, and this they did from no love 
of the ship but as a matter of mere self-preserva- 
tion, the small boats having all been lost or de- 
stroyed. 


9 


Sam Steele in Panama 


As soon as they dropped anchor in the harbor 
they fled from the crippled ship and left her to 
her fate. 

It fortunately happened that an agent of the 
owners, a man named Harlan, lived at Chelsea 
and was able to take prompt action to save the 
company’s property. The Nehuchadnezar was 
loaded heavily with structural steel work from 
Birmingham, which had been destined for San 
Pedro, California, which is the port of entry for 
the important city of Los Angeles. It was a 
valuable cargo, and one well worth saving; so 
Mr. Harlan quickly sent a lot of men aboard to 
calk the sprung seams and pump her dry, and 
within twenty-four hours they had her safe from 
sinking, although she still looked more like a 
splintered tub than a ship. 

And now the agent spent a whole day ex- 
changing telegrams with the chief agents of the 
Line in New York. It appeared that to unload the 
heavy structural beams, which were of solid steel, 
and ship them by rail across the continent would 
entail a serious loss, the freight rates being enor- 
mous for such a distance. There was at the time 


10 


I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage 

no other ship procurable to carry the cargo on to 
its destination. Either the old Nehuchadnezar 
must be made seaworthy again, and sent on its 
way around the Horn to San Pedro, or the com- 
pany was in for a tremendous loss. 

Harlan was a man of resource and energy. 
He promptly informed his superiors that he 
would undertake to fit the ship for sea, and 
speedily; so he was given permission to “go 
ahead.’^ 

New masts were stepped, the damages re- 
paired, and the bark put in as good condition as 
possible. But even then it was a sad parody on a 
ship, and the chances of its ever getting to the 
port of destination were regarded by all observers 
as extremely doubtful. 

Having done the best in his power, however, 
Mr. Harlan came to my father and said : 

“Captain Steele, I want you to take the Nehu- 
chadnezar to San Pedro.’’ 

The Captain smiled, and answered with his 
usual deliberation: 

“Thank you, Mr. Harlan; but I can’t by any 
possibility get away this winter.” 


II 


Sam Steele in Panama 


You see, we were just building our new vessel, 
the Seagull, which was to be our future pride and 
joy, and my father did not believe the work could 
progress properly unless he personally inspected 
every timber and spike that went into her. Just 
now the builders were getting along finely and 
during the coming winter all the interior fittings 
were to be put in. I knew very well that nothing 
could induce Captain Steele to leave the Seagull 
at this fascinating period of its construction. 

Mr. Harlan was very grave and anxious, and 
spoke frankly of the difficulty he was in. 

"‘You see, sir, my reputation is at stake in this 
venture,’^ he explained, “and if anything happens 
to that cargo they will blame me for it. The 
only way to avoid a heavy loss is to get the old 
hull into port, and I am aware that to accomplish 
this task a man of experience and exceptional 
judgment is required. There is not another cap- 
tain on the coast that I would so completely and 
confidently trust with this undertaking as I would 
you, sir; and we can afford to pay well for the 
voyage.” 


12 


I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage 

My father appreciated the compliment, but it 
did not alter his resolve. 

‘'Can’t be done, Mr. Harlan,” he said, press- 
ing the ashes into the bowl of his pipe and look- 
ing around the group of intent listeners with a 
thoughtful expression. "Time was when I’d 
have liked a job of that sort, because it’s exciting 
to fight a strong ocean with a weak ship. But 
my whole heart is in the Seagull, and I can’t an^ 
won’t leave her.” 

Just then his eyes fell upon me and brightened. 

"There’s no reason, howsomever,” he added, 
"why Sam can’t undertake your commission. 
We won’t be likely to need him this winter, at 
all.” 

Mr. Harlan frowned; then looked toward me 
curiously. 

"Would you really recommend a boy like Sam 
for such an important undertaking?” he asked. 

"Why not, sir?” replied my father. "Sam’s 
as good a navigator as I am, an’ he’s a brave lad 
an’ cool-headed, as has been proved. All he lacks 
is experience in working a ship; but he can take 
my own mate, Ned Britton, along, and there’s 

13 


Sam Steele in Panama 

not a better sailing-master to be had on the two 
oceans.” 

The agent began to look interested. He re- 
volved the matter in his mind for a time and then 
turned to me and asked, abruptly : 

‘‘Would you go, sir?” 

I had been thinking, too, for the proposition 
had come with startling suddenness. 

“On one condition,” said I. 

“What is that?” 

“That in case of accident- — if, in spite of all 
our efforts, the old tub goes to the bottom — you 
will hold me blameless and look as cheerful as 
possible.” 

The agent thought that over for what seemed 
a long time, considering the fact that he was a 
man of quick judgment and action. But I will 
acknowledge it was a grave condition I had re- 
quired, and the man knew even better than I did 
that under the most favorable circumstances the 
result of the voyage was more than doubtful. 
Finally he nodded. 

“I do not know of any one I would rather 
trust,” said he. “You are only a boy, Sam 

14 


4 


I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage 

Steele ; but Fve got your record, and I know Ned 
Britton. Next to getting Captain Steele him- 
self, the combination is as good as I could hope 
to secure for my company, and Fm going to 
close with you at once, condition and all.’’ 

Britton, who was himself present at this con- 
ference, shifted uneasily in his chair. 

“I ain’t right sure as we can ship a proper 
crew, sir,” he remarked, eyeing me with the 
characteristic stare of his round, light blue eyes, 
which were as unreadable as a bit of glass. 

‘"Well, we can try, Ned,” I answered, with 
some concern. ‘"I shall take Nux and Bryonia 
along, of course, and we won’t need over a dozen 
able seamen.” 

I must explain that the Nux and Bryonia men- 
tioned were not homeopathic remedies, but two 
stout, black South Sea Islanders who bore those 
absurd names and had already proven their loy- 
alty and devotion to me, although they were the 
especial retainers of my uncle, Naboth Perkins. 

""What became of the crew that brought the 
ship in ?” asked my father. 


Sam Steele in Panama 

“Deserted, sir, an’ dug out quick ’s scat,” an- 
swered Ned. 

‘‘Said as nothing but bad luck followed the 
ship. She were a thirteener, sir, and bound fer 
to get in trouble.’^ 

“How’s that?” 

“Why, I talked with the second mate, who 
brung the ship in. He said they had sailed from 
Liverpool on a Friday, the thirteenth o’ the 
month. There was thirteen aboard; it were the 
Cap’n’s thirteenth voyage; an’ the Nebuchad- 
nezar, which had thirteen letters in its name — 
bein’ as how it were mis-spelled by its builders — 
was thirteen year old to a day. That was bad 
enough fer a starter, as everybody can guess. 
Thirteen days out they struck trouble, an’ it 
clung to ’em as desp’rit as their own barnacles. 
You couldn’t hire one o’ that crew to go aboard 
agin, sir, fer love or money.” 

This dismal revelation struck a chill to all 
present, except, perhaps, Mr. Harlan and myself. 
I am superstitious about some things, I acknowl- 
edge, but thirteen has for me always been a 
i6 


I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage 

number luckier than otherwise. However, I 
knew very well that sailors are obstinate and fear- 
ful ; so I turned to the agent and said : 

‘*You must paint out that name Nebuchad- 
nezar and replace it with any other you like. Do 
it at once, before we attempt to ship a crew. 
With that accomplished, Ned won’t have much 
trouble in getting the men he wants.” 

‘I’ll do it,” replied Mr. Harlan, promptly. 
“I’ll call her the Gladys H., after my own little 
daughter. That ought to bring her good luck.” 

Ned bobbed his head approvingly. It was evi- 
dent the idea pleased him and removed his most 
serious objection to the voyage. 

“And now,” continued the agent, “it is only 
necessary to discuss terms.” 

These proved liberal enough, although I must 
say the money was no factor in deciding me to 
undertake the voyage. I had been quite fortu- 
nate in accumulating a fair share of worldly 
wealth, and a part of my own snug fortune had 
gone into our new Seagull, of which I was to be 
one-third owner. 

So it was really a desire to be doing something 

17 


Sam Steele in Panama 


and an irrepressible spirit of adventure that urged 
me on ; for, as my father said, a struggle with old 
ocean was always full of surprises, and when we 
had such frail support as the crippled Nebuchad- 
nesar, the fight was liable to prove interesting. 

But that preposterous name was painted out 
the following day, and before I trod the deck' for 
the first time the bark had been renamed the 
Gladys H., and was resplendent in fresh paint 
and new cordage. The old hulk actually looked 
seaworthy to a superficial observer; but Ned 
Britton went below and examined her seams 
carefully and came back shaking his head. 

‘Tf the weather holds good and the cargo 
steady,” he said to me, ‘‘we may pull through; 
but if them big iron beams in the hold ever shifts 
their position, the whole hull ’ll open like a sieve.” 

“Don’t whisper that, Ned,” I cautioned him. 
“We’ve got to take chances.” 

He was not the man to recoil at taking chances, 
so he kept a close mouth and in three days se- 
cured all the sailors we needed. 

They were a fairly good lot, all experienced 
and steady, and when I looked them over I was 
i8 


I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage 

well pleased. One or two who were new to our 
parts grinned rather disrespectfully when they 
noted my size and youth; but I paid little atten- 
tion to that. I was, in reality, a mere boy, and 
the only wonder is that they consented to sail 
under my command. 

My mate, however, looked every inch the 
sailor, and won their immediate respect, while my 
father’s ample reputation as a daring and skillful 
captain caused the men to be lenient in their judg- 
ment of his son. 

It was to be a long cruise, for Mr. Harlan had 
instructed me to skirt the coast all the way to 
Cape Horn, keeping well in to land so that in an 
emergency I could run the ship ashore and beach 
her. That would allow us to save the valuable 
cargo, even if we lost the ship, and that structural 
steel work was worth a lot of bother, he assured 
me. 

“When you get to the Cape,” said the agent, 
“take your time and wait for good weather to 
round it. There’s no hurry, and by the time you 
arrive there the conditions ought to be the most 
favorable of the year. Once in the Pacific, con- 
19 


Sam Steele in Panama 


tinue to hug the coast up to San Pedro, and then 
telegraph me for further instructions. Of course 
you know the consignment is to the contracting 
firm of Wright & Landers, and when you arrive 
they will attend to the unloading.” 

I got my things aboard and found my room 
very pleasant and of ample size. I took quite a 
library of books along, for the voyage would 
surely consume most of the winter. We were 
liberally provisioned, for the same reason, and our 
supplies were of excellent quality. 

My two black Islanders, Nux and Bryonia, 
were calmly indifferent to everything except the 
fact that ^^Mars' Sam” was going somewhere and 
would take them along. 

Bry was our cook, and a mighty good one, 
too. With him in charge of the galley we were 
sure to enjoy our meals. Nux acted as steward 
and looked after the officers' cabins. He was 
wonderfully active and a tower of strength in 
time of need. Both men I knew I could depend 
upon at all times, for they were intelligent, active, 
and would be faithful to the last. 

We arranged to sail with the tide on a 


20 


I Undertake a Hazardous Voyage 

Wednesday afternoon, the date being the nine- 
teenth of September. On that eventful morning 
every preparation was reported complete, and I 
rowed to the shore for a final conference with 
the agent and a last farewell to my father. 


21 


CHAPTER II 


I SHIP A QUEER PASSENGER 

The ship-yards were on this side of the har- 
bor, and presented a busy scene; for besides our 
own beautiful Seagull, whose hull was now 
nearly complete and so graceful in its lines that 
it attracted the wondering admiration of every 
beholder, several other ships were then in the 
yards in course of construction. 

It was in one of the builders’ offices that I met 
my father and Mr. Harlan, and while we were 
talking a man came in and touched his cap to us, 
saying : 

‘‘May I speak to Captain Steele?” 

He was about thirty years of age, somewhat 
thin and lank in appearance, and would have been 
considered tall had he stood erect instead of 
stooping at the shoulders. His face was fine and 
sensitive in expression and his eyes were large 
and gray but dreamy rather than alert. Gray 


22 


I Ship a Queer Passenger 

eyes are usually shrewd ; I do not remember ever 
before seeing so abstracted and visionary a look 
except in brown or black ones. The man^s hair 
was thick and long and of a light brown — nearly 
‘‘sandy” — color. He dressed well but carelessly, 
and was evidently nervous and in a state of sup- 
pressed excitement when he accosted us. I no- 
ticed that his hands were large and toil-worn, and 
he clasped and unclasped them constantly as he 
looked from one to another of our group. 

“I am Captain Steele,” said my father. 

“Then, sir, I desire to ask a favor,” was the 
reply. 

“State it, my man.” 

“I want you to take me and my automobile 
with you on your voyage to Los Angeles.” 

Mr. Harlan laughed, and I could not repress a 
smile myself. 

“Then Fm not the Captain Steele you want,” 
said my father. “This is the one you must deal 
with,” pointing his finger in my direction. 

The stranger turned, but to my satisfaction 
seemed in no way surprised or embarrassed by 
being confronted with a boy. 

23 


Sam Steele in Panama 

'It will be a great favor, sir,” he continued, 
earnestly. "I beg you will grant my request.” 

"An automobile!” I exclaimed. 

"Yes, sir.” 

"Your request is unusual,” I said, in order to 
decline gracefully, for something about the fel- 
low was strangely appealing. "We are not a 
passenger ship, but a slow freighter, and we are 
bound for a long voyage around the Horn.” 

"Time does not greatly matter,” he mur- 
mured. "Only one thing really matters at all.” 

"And that?” 

"The expense.” 

We stared at him, somewhat perplexed. 

"Permit me to explain,” he went on, still gaz- 
ing at me alone with his beseeching eyes. "I 
have invented an automobile — not strictly an 
automobile, it is true; but for want of a better 
name I will call it that. I have been years ex- 
perimenting and building it, for it is all the work 
of my own hands and the child of my exclusive 
brain. It is now just finished — complete in every 
part — ^but I find that I have exhausted nearly 


24 


I Ship a Queer Passenger 

every available dollar of my money. In other 
words, sir, my machine has bankrupted me.’’ 

He paused, and catching* a wink from Mr. 
Harlan I said in an amused tone : 

‘That is an old story, sir.” 

“You doubt it?” 

“No ; I mean that it is quite natural.” 

“Perhaps,” he replied. “You see I had not 
thought of money; merely of success. But now 
that at last I have succeeded, I find that I have 
need of money. My only relative is a rich uncle 
living at Pasadena, California, who is so eccen- 
tric in his disposition that were I to appeal to him 
for money he would promptly refuse.” 

“Most rich men have that same eccentricity,” 
I observed. 

“But he is quite a genius commercially, and if 
he saw my machine I am confident he would freely 
furnish the money I require to erect a manu- 
factory and promote its sale. I assure you, gen- 
tlemen,” looking vaguely around, “that my ma- 
chine is remarkable, and an original invention.” 

We nodded. There was no object in disput- 
ing such a modest statement. 

25 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘‘So I wish to get myself and my automobile to 
Los Angeles, and at the least possible expense. 
The railroads demand a large sum for freight 
and fare, and I have not so much money to pay. 
By accident I learned that your ship is going to 
the very port I long to reach, and so I hastened to 
appeal to you to take me. I have only two hun- 
dred dollars in my possession — the last, I grieve 
to say, of my ample inheritance. If you will 
carry us for that sum to your destination, I shall 
indeed be grateful for the kindness.’^ 

Really, I began to feel sorry for the poor 
fellow. 

“But,” said I, “I cannot possibly take you. We 
sail this afternoon and the hatches are all closed 
and battened down for the voyage.” 

“I do not wish the machine put in the hold,” 
he answered, with strange eagerness. “All I ask 
is a spot in which to place it on the deck — any- 
where that will be out of your way. I will make 
it secure, myself, and take every care of it, so 
that it will cause you no trouble at all.” 

“Tm afraid you could not get it to the ship 
in time.” 


26 


I Ship a Queer Passenger 

“It is already loaded upon a flat-boat, which 
will take it to the Gladys H, in an hour, once I 
have your permission/’ 

I looked at him in astonishment. 

“You seem to have considered your request 
granted in advance,” I remarked, with some 
asperity. 

“Not that, sir; I am not impertinent, believe 
me. But I enquired about Captain Steele and 
was told that he is a good man and kind. So, 
that I might lose no time if I obtained your con- 
sent, I had the machine loaded on the flat-boat,” 

Mr. Harlan laughed outright. Acting upon 
a sudden impulse I turned to him and said : 

“May I decide as I please in this matter?” 

“Of coure, Sam,” he replied. “It is your af- 
fair, not mine.” 

I looked at the stranger again. He was 
actually trembling with anxious uncertainty. 

“Very well,” I announced, “I will take you.” 

“For the two hundred dollars ?” 

“No; ril carry you for nothing. You may 
need that extra money at your journey’s end.” 

He took out his handkerchief and wiped his 
27 


Sam Steele in Panama 


brow, upon which beads of perspiration were 
standing. 

“Thank you, sir,’’ he said, simply. 

“But I must warn you of one thing. The bark 
is not in what we call A-1 condition. If she hap- 
pens to go to the bottom instead of San Pedro 
I won’t be responsible for your precious ma- 
chine.” 

“Very well, sir. I will take as many chances 
as you do.” 

“May I ask your name?” 

“Moit, sir ; Duncan Moit.” 

“Scotch?” 

“By ancestry, Captain. American by birth.” 

“All right; make haste and get your traps 
aboard as soon as possible.” 

“I will. Thank you. Captain Steele.” 

He put on his cap and walked hurriedly away, 
and when he had gone both Mr. Harlan and my 
father rallied me on account of my queer “pas- 
senger.” 

“He looks to me like a crank, Sam,” said the 
agent. “But it’s your fireworks, not mine.” 


28 


I Ship a Queer Passenger 

‘Whatever induced you to take him?’’ Cap- 
tain Steele enquired, wonderingly. 

“The bare fact that he was so anxious to go,” 
I replied. “He may be a crank on the automo- 
bile question, and certainly it is laughable to 
think of shipping a machine to Los Angeles on a 
freighter, around the Horn; but the poor fellow 
seemed to be a gentleman, and he’s hard up. 
It appeared to me no more than a Christian act 
to help him out of his trouble.” 

“You may be helping him into trouble, if that 
confounded cargo of yours takes a notion to 
shift,” observed my father, with a shake of his 
grizzled head. 

“But it’s not going to shift, sir,” I declared, 
firmly. “I’m looking for good luck on this voy- 
age, and the chances are I’ll find it.” 

The agent slapped me on the shoulder ap- 
provingly. 

“That’s the way to talk!” he cried. “I’m 
morally certain, Sam, that you’ll land that cargo 
at San Pedro in safety. I’m banking on you, 
anyhow, young man.” 

I thanked him for his confidence, and having 
29 


Sam Steele in Panama 


bade a last good-bye to my father and my em- 
ployer I walked away with good courage and 
made toward my boat, which was waiting for me. 

Uncle Naboth was waiting, too, for I found 
his chubby form squatting on the gunwale. 

Uncle Naboth’s other name was Mr. Perkins, 
and he was an important member of the firm of 
“Steele, Perkins & Steele,” being my dead 
mother’s only brother and my own staunch friend. 
I had thought my uncle in New York until now, 
and had written him a letter of farewell to his 
address in that city that very morning. 

But here he was, smiling serenely at me as I 
approached. 

“What’s this foolishness I hear, Sam ?” he de- 
manded, when I had shaken his hand warmly. 

“I’m off on a trip around the Horn,” said I, 
“to carry a cargo of building steel to the Pacific 
coast in that crippled old bark, yonder.” 

His sharp eye followed mine and rested on the 
ship. 

“Anything in it, my lad?” 

“Not much except adventure. Uncle. But it 
will keep me from growing musty until Spring 

30 


I ship a Queer Passenger 

comes and the Seagull is ready for launching. 
Fm dead tired of loafing around.” 

He began to chuckle and cough and choke, but 
finally controlled himself sufficiently to gasp: 

‘‘So ’m I, Sam !” 

“You?” 

“Tired as blazes. New York^s a frost, Sam. 
Nothin’ doin’ there that’s worth mentionin’. All 
smug-faced men an’ painted-faced women. No 
sassiety, more policemen than there is sailors, 
hair-cuts thirty-five cents an’ two five-cent drinks 
fer a quarter. I feel like Alladin an’ the Forty 
Thieves — me bein’ Alladin.” 

“But, Uncle, it wasn’t Aladdin that the 
Forty ” 

“Never mind that. Got a spare bunk aboard, 
Sam?” 

I laughed ; but there was no use in being sur- 
prised at anything Uncle Naboth did. 

“Fve got a whole empty cabin — second 
mate’s.” 

“All right. When do we sail ?” 

“Three o’clock. Uncle Naboth — sharp.*^ 

“Very good.” 


31 


Sam Steele in Panama 


He turned and ambled away toward the town, 
* and, rather thoughtfully, I entered my boat and 
was rowed out to the Gladys H. 


32 


CHAPTER III 


THE MOIT CONVERTIBLE AUTOMOBILE 

The flat-boat came alongside within the hour. 
On it was a big object covered with soiled canvas 
and tied ’round and ’round with cords like a 
package from the grocer. Beside it stood Moit, 
motionless until the barge made fast and Ned 
Britton — who at my request had ordered the 
windlass made ready — had the tackle lowered to 
hoist it aboard. 

Then the inventor directed his men in a clear- 
headed, composed way that made the task easy 
enough. The big bundle appeared not so heavy 
as it looked, and swung up without much strain 
on the tackle. 

I found a place for it just abaft the forecastle, 
where it would not interfere with the sailors in 
working the ship. In a brief space of time Dun- 
can Moit had screwed hooks in the planking and 
lashed his bulky contrivance so firmly to the deck 
33 


Sam Steele in Panama 


that no ordinary pitch or roll of the ship could 
possibly affect its security. 

Then he carried his trunk and several pack- 
ages to his cabin, which I had assigned him next 
my own, and after that I lost sight of him in 
the responsible duties of our preparations to hoist 
anchor. 

Luncheon was served while we waited for the 
tide, but there was as yet no sign of Uncle Na- 
both. I really did not know whether to expect 
him or not. He might have changed his mind, 
I reflected ; for unless it was a business matter my 
uncle and partner was wont to be extremely er- 
ratic in his decisions. And he had no business 
at all to join me on this voyage except, as he had 
said, that he was tired of the land and wished 
to relieve his restlessness by a smell of salt water. 

He was no sailor at all, nor even a navigator ; 
but he had sailed so many years as supercargo 
and trader that he was seldom contented for long 
on land, and like myself he dreaded the long wait 
until Spring when our beautiful new craft would 
be ready for her maiden trip. 

So for a time I thought it probable that he 

34 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


would come alongside; and then I thought it 
probable he would not. If he ran across Captain 
Steele, my father was liable to discourage him 
from making so long and so useless a voyage 
when no profit was to be had from it. My case 
was different, for I was a boy still full of a youth- 
ful energy and enthusiasm that needed a safety- 
valve. Moreover, I was pardonably proud of my 
new position, being for the first time the captain 
of a ship in name and authority, although I was 
forced to acknowledge to myself that Ned Britton 
was the real captain and that without him I would 
be very helpless indeed. 

Two o’clock came, and then three o’clock; but 
there was no evidence of Uncle Naboth. 

I gave a sigh of regret and unfeigned disap- 
pointment then, and nodded to Ned to weigh an- 
chor, for the tide was beginning to turn. 

My new men worked cheerily and with a will, 
and soon the anchor was apeak, our mainsail set 
and we were standing out to sea on our doubtful 
attempt to round the Horn and reach the blue 
waters of the Pacific. 

We had left the bay and were standing well 

35 


Sam Steele in Panama 


out from the coast, when I happened to glance 
over the rail and notice a small launch coming 
toward us from the harbor at full speed. They 
were unable to signal from that distance, but I 
brought a powerful glass and soon made out the 
form of Uncle Naboth standing upright in the 
middle of the little craft and gracefully waving a 
red handkerchief. 

I had Ned luff and lay to, laughing to think 
how nearly the little uncle had missed us, and be- 
fore long the launch covered the distance between 
us and came alongside. 

Uncle Naboth was gorgeous in appearance. 
He was dressed in a vividly checked suit and wore 
a tourist cap perched jauntily atop his iron-gray 
locks. His shirt bosom was wonderfully pleated, 
his shoes of shiney patent-leather, and he wore 
yellow kid gloves that wrinkled dreadfully. 
Moreover — the greatest wonder of all, to me — 
my uncle was smoking a big, fat cigar instead of 
his accustomed corn-cob pipe, and he had a kodak 
slung over one shoulder and a marine-glass over 
the other. 

First of all my uncle sent his traps up the 

36 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


side. Then he began a long but calm argument 
with the crew of the launch, who were greatly 
excited, and this might have continued indef- 
initely had not Ned become impatient and yelled 
a warning that he was about to tack. At this 
Uncle Naboth thrust some money in the hand of 
the skipper and leisurely ascended the ladder 
while a chorus of curses and threats fell upon 
his unheeding ears. 

‘'Nearly missed you, Sam, didn’t I?” he said, 
nodding cheerfully as the sails filled and we 
headed into the breeze again. “Close shave, but 
no alum or bay-rum.” 

“What made you late, Uncle?” 

“Had to do a lot to git my outfit ready,” he 
said, puffing his cigar, smoothing out his gloves 
and at the same time casting a critical eye over 
the deck. “First time in my life, nevvy, that Fve 
went to sea on a pleasure-trip. No business to 
look after, no worry, no figgerin’. Jest sailin’ 
away o’er the deep blue sea with a jolly crew is 
the life for me. Eh, Sam?” 

“Right you are. Uncle. You’re just a passen- 


37 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ger, and a mighty welcome one. I’m glad you 
caught us.” 

“Stern chase, but not a long one. What do 
you s’pose, Sam? I had to pay them pirates in 
that half-grown steamboat thirty dollars to get 

me aboard.” 

“Thirty dollars!” 

“Dreadful, wasn’t it? And then they wanted 
sixty. Took me for a tourist gent ’cause I looked 
the part. But I was bound to come, an’ they was 
onto my anxiousness, so it might be expected as 
they’d soak me good an’ plenty. Where’d you 
say you was bound for, Sam ?” 

“Down the coast, around the Horn, and up 
the Pacific to San Pedro.” 

“Sounds interestin’.” 

His bright little eye had been observant. 

“What’s aboard, my lad?” 

“Steel beams for some new buildings in Los 
Angeles.” 

“Loaded rather heavy, ain’t she?” 

“Too heavy. Uncle.” 

“H-m-m. Not any too tight, either, I take 


38 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 

it. Hull old an’ rotten; plenty o’ paint to cover 
up the worm-holes.” 

“Exactly, sir.” 

“Will you make it, Sam?” 

“Can’t say. Uncle Naboth. But I’ll try.” 

“Cargo insured?” 

“No; that’s the worst of it. The owners in- 
sure themselves, because the tub won’t pass at 
Lloyd’s. If we sink it’s a big loss. So we 
mustn’t sink.” 

“Iron won’t float, nevvy.” 

“Fm going to hug the coast, mostly. If trou- 
ble comes I’ll beach her. You may be in for a 
long cruise. Uncle.” 

He nodded quite pleasantly. 

“That’s all right. I take it we’ll manage to 
get home by Spring, an’ that’s time enough fer 
us both. But I can see she ain’t a race-hoss, Sam, 
my boy.” 

Indeed, the ship was not behaving at all to suit 
me. With a favorable breeze and an easy sea 
the miserable old hulk was sailing more like a 
water-logged raft than a modern merchantman. 

Her sails and cordage were new and beauti- 

39 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ful, and her paint spick and span; but I noticed 
my sailors wagging their heads with disappoint- 
ment as the Gladys H. labored through the water. 

Uncle Naboth chuckled to himself and glanced 
at me as if he thought it all a good joke, and I 
the only victim. But I pretended to pay no atten- 
tion to him. Being, as he expressed it, a loafin' 
land-lubber," I installed him in the last of the 
roomy cabins aft, all of which opened into the 
officers' mess-room. Ned Britton had the cabin 
opposite mine, and Mr. Perkins the one opposite 
to that occupied by Duncan Moit. For my part, 
I was pleased enough to have such good com- 
pany on a voyage that promised to be unusually 
tedious. 

Moit had kept well out of our way until every- 
thing was snug and ship-shape, and then he came 
on deck and stood where he could keep a tender 
eye on his precious machine. I introduced him 
to Uncle Naboth and the two “passengers" shook 
hands cordially and were soon conversing to- 
gether in a friendly manner. 

I had decided to take my sailors into my con- 


40 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


fidence in the very beginning, so I called all hands 
together and made them a brief speech. 

\ ‘'My lads,” said I, “we need not look forward 
to a very good voyage, for you have doubtless 
discovered already that the Gladys H, is not a 
greyhound. To be honest with you, she’s old 
and leaky, and none too safe. But she’s got a 
valuable cargo aboard, that must be safe de- 
livered if we can manage it, and we are all of us 
well paid to do our duty by the owners. My in- 
structions are to hug the land and make a harbor 
if bad weather comes. At the worst we can run 
the ship on the shingle and save the cargo in that 
way — for the cargo is worth a dozen such tubs. 
It’s a somewhat risky undertaking, I know, and if 
any of you don’t like your berths I’ll put you 
ashore at the first likely place and you can go 
home again. But if you are willing to stick to 
me. I’ll take as good care of you as I can, and 
your money is sure because the Interocean For- 
warding Company is back of us and good for 
every penny. What do you say, my lads?” 

They were a good-natured lot, and appreci- 
ated my frankness. After a little conference to- 

41 


Sam Steele in Panama 


gether the boatswain declared they were all con- 
tent to see the venture to the end and do the best 
they could under the circumstances. So a mu- 
tual understanding was established from the be- 
ginning, and before the end came I had cause to 
be proud of every man aboard. 

The weather was warm and pleasant, and as 
I sat with our passengers and Ned on the deck 
in the afternoon Uncle Naboth got his eye on 
the overgrown grocery package and said to Moit : 

‘What sort of an automobile have you got?” 

The man had been dreaming, but he gave a 
start and his eyes lighted with sudden interest. 
The abstracted mood disappeared. 

“It is one of my own invention, sir,” he re- 
plied. 

“What do you call it?” 

“The Moit Convertible Automobile.” 

“Heh ? Convertible ?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“I guess,” said Uncle Naboth, “I’m up agin 
it. ‘Convertible’ is a word I don’t jest catch the 
meaning of. Latin’s a little rusty, you know; 
so long since I went to school.” 

42 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


‘It means/’ said Moit, seriously, “that the 
machine is equally adapted to land and water.” 

My uncle stared a little, then looked away and 
began to whistle softly. Ned Britton sighed and 
walked to the rail as if to observe our motion. 
For my part, I had before entertained a suspic- 
ion that the poor fellow was not quite right in his 
mind, so I was not surprised. But he appeared 
gentlemanly enough, and was quite in earnest; 
so, fearing he might notice the rather pointed 
conduct of my uncle and Ned, I made haste to 
remark with fitting gravity : 

“That is a very desirable combination, Mr. 
Moit, and a great improvement on the ordinary 
auto.” 

“Oh, there is nothing ordinary about the ma- 
chine, in any way,” he responded, quickly. “In- 
deed, it is so different from all the other mo- 
tor vehicles in use that it cannot properly be 
termed an automobile. Some time I intend to 
provide an appropriate name for my invention, 
but until now the machine itself has occupied my 
every thought.” 

“To be sure,” I said, rather vaguely. 

43 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘‘Most automobiles,” began my uncle, lying 
back in his chair and giving me a preliminary 
wink, “is only built to go on land, an’ balks 
whenever they gets near a repair shop. I was 
tellin’ a feller the other day in New York, who 
was becalmed in the middle of the street, that if 
he’d only put a sail on his wagon and wait for a 
stiff breeze, he could tell all the repair men to go 
to thunder!” 

“But this has nothing to do with Mr. Moit’s 
invention,” I said, trying not to smile. “Mr. 
Moit’s automobile is different.” 

“As how ?” asked my uncle. 

Mr. Moit himself undertook to reply. 

“In the first place,” said he, his big eyes look- 
ing straight through me with an absorbed ex- 
pression, as if I were invisible, “I do not use the 
ordinary fuel for locomotion. Gasoline is expen- 
sive and dangerous, and needs constant replen- 
ishing. Electricity is unreliable, and its storage 
very bulky. Both these forces are crude and un- 
satisfactory. My first thought was to obtain a 
motive power that could be relied upon at all 


44 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


times, that was inexpensive and always available. 
I found it in compressed air.” 

‘"Oh!” ejaculated Uncle Naboth. 

I am sure he knew less about automobiles 
than I did, for I owned a small machine at home 
and had driven it some while on shore. But Mr. 
Perkins prided himself on being familiar with all 
modern inventions, and what he did not know 
from personal experience he was apt to imagine 
he knew. 

‘Uompressed air,” he observed, oracularly, 
‘hs what blows the sails of a ship.” 

The inventor turned on him a look of wonder. 

‘^This seems to me like a clever idea,” I 
hastened to say. “But I can’t see exactly, sir, 
how you manage to use compressed air for such 
a purpose.” 

“I have a storage tank,” Moit answered, 
“which is constantly replenished by the pumps 
as fast as the air is exhausted, which of course 
only occurs while the machine is in action.” 

“But you need something to start the en- 
gines,” I suggested. “Do you use gasoline for 
that purpose ?” 


45 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘^No, sir. I have a glycerine explosive which 
is so condensed that an atom is all that is re- 
quired to prime the engines. In a little cham- 
ber that contains about a pint I can carry enough 
explosive to last me for a year. And wherever 
there is air I have power that is perpetual.’^ 

'‘That’s great!” cried Uncle Naboth, with an 
enthusiasm so plainly assumed that Ned and I 
had much ado to keep from laughing outright. 

“In other ways,” continued Duncan Moit, “I 
have made marked improvements upon the or- 
dinary motor car. Will you allow me, gentle- 
men, to show you my machine, and to explain it 
to you?” 

We were glad enough of this diversion, even 
Ned Britton, who could not have run a sewing- 
machine, being curious to examine our crazy pas- 
senger’s invention. 

Moit at once began to untie the cords and re- 
move the soiled canvas, which consisted of parts 
of worn-out sails stitched clumsily together. But 
when this uninviting cover was withdrawn we 
saw with astonishment a machine of such beauty, 
completeness and exquisite workmanship that our 

46 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


exclamations of delight were alike spontaneous 
and genuine. 

Moit might be mad, but as a mechanic he was 
superb, if this was indeed a creation of his own 
hands. 

An automobile? Well, it had four massive 
wheels with broad rubber tires, a steering gear 
(of which only the wheel was visible) and a body 
for the passengers to ride in; but otherwise the 
world-pervading auto-fiend would not have rec- 
ognized the thing. 

It seemed to be all of metal — a curious metal 
of a dull silver hue — not painted or polished in 
any place, but so finely constructed that every 
joint and fitting appeared perfect. It was grace- 
ful of design, too, although the body was shaped 
like the hull of a boat, with the wheels so placed 
that the structure was somewhat more elevated 
from the ground than ordinarily. This body was 
about a foot in thickness, having an inner and 
outer surface composed of beautifully rivetted 
plates of the strange metal. 

Moit explained that part of this space was 
used for vacuum chambers, which were kept ex- 
47 


Sam Steele in Panama 


hausted by the pumps when required and made 
the machine wonderfully light. Also, within 
what corresponded with the gunwale of a boat, 
were concealed the parts of the adjustable top, 
which, when raised into position and hooked to- 
gether, formed a dome-shaped cover for the en- 
tire body. These parts were almost entirely of 
glass, in which a fine wire netting had been im- 
bedded, so that while the riders could see clearly 
on all sides, any breakage of the glass was un- 
likely to occur. In any event it could only crack, 
as the netting would still hold the broken pieces 
in place. 

The engines were in a front chamber of the 
body. There were four of them, each no bigger 
than a gallon jug; but Moit assured us they were 
capable of developing twenty-five horse-power 
each, or a total of one hundred horse-power, 
owing to the wonderful efficiency of the com- 
pressed air. All the other machinery was sim- 
ilarly condensed in size and so placed that the 
operator could reach instantly any part of it. 

The entrance was at either side or at the back, 
as one preferred, but the seats were arranged in 
48 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


a circle around the body, with the exception of 
the driver’s chair. So roomy was the car that 
from six to eight passengers could be carried with 
comfort, or even more in case of emergency. 

All of these things were more easily under- 
stood by observation than I can hope to explain 
them with the pen. Perhaps I have omitted to 
describe them to you as clearly as I should; but 
I must plead in extenuation a lack of mechanical 
knowledge. That you will all ride in similar cars 
some day I have no doubt, and then you will un- 
derstand all the details that I, a plain sailor, have 
been forced to ignore because of my ignorance 
of mechanics. 

“But,” said Uncle Naboth, whose eyes were 
fairly bulging with amazement, “I don’t yet see 
what drives the blamed thing through water.” 

Moit smiled for almost the first time since I 
had known him, and the smile was one of tri- 
umphant pride. 

He entered the automobile, touched some but- 
tons, and with a whirring sound a dozen little 
scoop-shaped flanges sprang from the rim of each 
wheel. There was no need for farther explana- 
49 


Sam Steele in Panama 


tion. iWe could see at once that in water the 
four wheels now became paddle-wheels, and their 
rapid revolution would no doubt drive the ma- 
chine at a swift pace. 

The paddles were cleverly shaped, being made 
of the same metal employed everywhere in the 
construction of this astonishing invention, and 
they stood at just the right angle to obtain the ut- 
most power of propulsion. 

“Aluminum?” questioned Mr. Perkins, point- 
ing to the metal. 

“No, sir. This is perhaps my most wonder- 
ful discovery, and you will pardon me if I say it 
is a secret which I am unwilling at this time to 
divulgw. But I may tell you that I have found 
an alloy that is unequalled in the known world 
for strength, durability and lightness. It weighs 
a little more than pure aluminum, but has a thou- 
sand times its tensile strength. You may test 
one of these blades, which seem to the eye to be 
quite delicate and fragile.” 

Uncle Naboth leaned over and gingerly tested 
one of the wheel blades with his thumb and fin- 
ger. Then he exerted more strength. Finally 

50 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


he put his heel upon it and tried to bend it with 
the weight of his body. It resisted all efforts 
with amazing success. 

And now the inventor pushed some other but- 
tons, or keys, and the metal blades all receded 
and became once more a part of the rims of the 
wheels. 

“When we get to San Pedro, gentlemen,” 
said he, “it will give me pleasure to take you for 
a ride in my machine, both on land and water. 
Then you will be sure to appreciate its perfection 
more fully.” 

He began to replace the canvas cover, apolo- 
gizing as much to his beloved machine as to us 
for its shabbiness. 

“All of my money was consumed by the ma- 
chine itself,” he explained, “and I was forced to 
use this cloth to make a cover, which is needed 
only to protect my invention from prying eyes. 
The metal will never rust nor corrode.” 

. “Is this material, this alloy, easy to work?” I 
asked. 

He shook his head. 

“It is very difficult,” he returned. “Steel 

51 


Sam Steele in Panama 


crumbles against it with discouraging readiness, 
so that my tools were all of the same metal, an- 
nealed and hardened. Even these had to be con- 
stantly replaced. You must not imagine, sir, 
that I obtained all of this perfection at the first 
trial. I have been years experimenting.^^ 

“So I imagine, Mr. Moit.” 

“By a fortunate coincidence,’’ he went on, 
dreamily, “my money, which I had inherited from 
my father, lasted me until all the work was com- 
plete. I had thought of nothing but my ma- 
chine, and having at last finished it and made 
thorough tests to assure myself that it was as 
nearly perfect as human skill can make it, I 
awoke to find myself bankrupt and in debt. By 
selling my tools, my workshop, and everything 
else I possessed except the machine itself, I man- 
aged to pay my indebtedness and have two hun- 
dred dollars left. This was not enough to get 
myself and my car shipped to California by rail; 
so I was at my wits’ end until you, sir,” turning 
to me, “kindly came to my rescue.” 

During the pause that followed he finished 


52 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 

covering up his machine, and then Uncle Naboth 
asked, bluntly: 

'If you are sure the blamed thing will work, 
why didn’t you run it overland to California? 
That has been done more’n once. I’m told, and 
as you use compressed air the expense wouldn’t 
be a circumstance.” 

That had occurred to me too, and I awaited 
the man’s reply with much curiosity. 

"Sir,” he answered, "you must not forget that 
I have devoted years to this work — years of se- 
cret and constant toil — and that my whole heart 
is involved in the success of my perfected ma- 
chine. But you can readily understand that I 
have not dared to patent it, or any of its parts, 
until all was complete; for an imperfect patent 
not only fails to protect one, but in this case it 
would give other designers of automobiles the 
ideas I had originated. A patent is never a safe- 
guard if it can be improved or stolen. As I have 
said, when at last my work was finished I had no 
money with which to obtain patents, of which no 
less than nineteen are required to protect me.” 


53 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘‘And have you, at this time, no patents at 
all?” I asked, surprised at such neglect. 

He shook his head. 

“Not one. There, gentlemen, stands one of 
the most important mechanical inventions the 
world has ever known, and its inventor has no 
protection whatever — as yet. If I attempted to 
run the machine overland to the Pacific coast, 
a dozen automobile experts would see it and 
promptly steal my ideas. Such a risk was too 
great to run. I must manage to reach my rich 
and selfish uncle, prove to him how wonderful 
my invention is, offer him a half interest in it, and 
so procure the money to protect it and to establish 
a manufactory. Do you understand now why 
I have acted in so puzzling a way — puzzling, at 
least, to one not aware of my dilemma ?” 

“It is quite clear to me,” I replied, beginning 
to think my passenger was not mad, after all. 
“But have you not been foolish to confide all 
this to us?” 

He smiled pleasantly, and the smile made his 
face really attractive. 

“I am not especially stupid, believe me,” said 

54 


The Moit Convertible Automobile 


he, “and I am a fair judge of human nature. 
You will pardon me if I say that not a man on 
this ship is at all dangerous to me.’’ 

“How is that?” I asked, slightly discomfitted. 

“No man among you is competent to steal my 
invention,” he asserted, coolly, “even if you were 
disposed to do so, which I doubt. It would re- 
quire a dishonest person who is a mechanical ex- 
pert, and while there are many such between 
Chelsea and California, I am sure there is none 
on this ship who would wrong me, even if he 
possessed the power. I feel entirely secure, gen- 
tlemen, in your company.” 

This was diplomatic, at least, for we were 
naturally pleased at the tribute to our good faith, 
even if inclined to resent the disparagement of 
our mechanical genius. However, we regarded 
Duncan Moit in a more friendly light and with 
vastly increased respect from that time forth. 

It was growing dark by this time, and pres- 
ently Nux announced that dinner was served. 
So we repaired to the mess cabin, and while test- 
ing Bryonia’s superb talents as a cook beguiled 
the hour by canvassing the future possibilities of 
the Moit Convertible Automobile. 

55 


CHAPTER IV 


WE COME TO GRIEF 

Fortune seemed to favor the voyage of the 
Gladys H, All the way to Hatteras the weather 
was delightful and the breeze fresh and constant. 
There was not a moment when the sails were not 
bulging to some extent and in spite of the old 
ship’s labored motion we made excellent time. 

However, I followed my instructions, keep- 
ing well in toward the coast, and so crept stead- 
ily down to Key West. 

Here an important proposition confronted us : 
whether to enter the Gulf of Mexico and follow 
its great circle near to the shore — a method that 
would require weeks — or run across to Cuba 
and then attempt the passage of the Caribbean by 
the short cut to Colon or Porto Bella. We had 
canvassed this alternative before I left harbor; 
but Mr. Harlan had maintained that I must de- 
cide the question for myself, being guided by the 

56 


We Come to Grief 

actions of the bark and the condition of the 
weather. 

Both these requirements seemed favorable for 
the short cut. The ship had behaved so far much 
better than I had expected, and the good weather 
seemed likely to hold for some time longer. 

So after a conference with Ned Britton — for 
Uncle Naboth refused to ‘^mix up in the busi- 
ness’’ or even to offer an opinion — I decided to 
take the chances and follow the shortest route. 
After reaching Colon I would keep close to land 
way down to the Horn. 

So we stood out to sea, made Cuba easily, 
and skirted its western point to the Isles de Pinos. 
Still the skies were clear and the breeze favor- 
able, and with good courage we headed south in 
a bee-line for Colon. 

And now we were in the Caribbean, that fa- 
mous sea whose very name breathes romance. 
It recalls to us the earliest explorers, the gold 
seekers and buccaneers, the fact that scarce an 
inch of its rippling surface is unable to boast some 
tragedy or adventure in the days of the Spanish 


57 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Main, when ships of all nations thronged the 
waters of the West Indies. 

For three whole days luck was our bedfellow; 
then, as Uncle Naboth drily remarked, it ''went a 
fishin' ” and left us to take care of ourselves. 

With gentle sighs our hitherto faithful breeze 
deserted us and our sails flapped idly for a time 
and then lay still, while the ship floated upon a 
sheet of brilliant blue glass, the tropic sun beat 
fiercely down upon us, and all signs of life and 
animation came to an end. 

No sailor is partial to calms. A gale he 
fights with a sense of elation and a resolve to 
conquer ; a favoring breeze he considers his right ; 
but a glassy sea and listless, drooping sails are 
his especial horror. Nevertheless, he is accus- 
tomed to endure this tedium and has learned by 
long experience how best to enliven such depress- 
ing periods. 

Our men found, they possessed a violinist — 
not an unskilled fiddler by any means — and to 
his accompanying strains they sang and danced 
like so many happy children. 

Uncle Naboth and Ned Britton played endless 

58 


We Come to Grief 


games of penocle under the deck awning and I 
brought out my favorite books and stretched my- 
self in a reclining chair to enjoy them. 

Duncan Moit paced deliberately up and down 
for the first two days, engrossed in his own mus- 
ings ; then he decided to go over his machine and 
give it a careful examination. He removed the 
cover, started his engines, and let them perform 
for the amusement of the amazed sailors, who 
formed a curious but respectful group around 
him. 

Finally they cleared a space on the deck and 
Moit removed the guy-ropes that anchored his 
invention and ran his auto slowly up and down, 
to the undisguised delight of the men. He 
would allow six or eight to enter the car and ride 
— sixteen feet forward, around the mainmast, 
and sixteen feet back again — and it was laughable 
to watch the gravity of their faces as they held 
fast to the edge, bravely resolving to endure the 
dangers of this wonderful mode of locomotion. 
Not one had ever ridden in an automobile before, 
and although Moit merely allowed it to crawl 


59 


Sam Steele in Panama 


over its confined course, the ride was a strange 
and fascinating experience to them. 

I must allow that the performances of this 
clever machine astonished me. The inventor was 
able to start it from his seat, by means of a 
simple lever, and it was always under perfect con- 
trol. The engines worked so noiselessly that you 
had to put your ear close in order to hear them at 
all, ‘and the perfection of the workmanship could 
not fail to arouse my intense admiration. 

‘Tf this new metal is so durable as you claim,’’ 
I said to Moit, ‘^the machine ought to last for 
many years.” 

‘'My claim is that it is practically indestructi- 
ble,” he answered, in a tone of conviction. 

“But you have still the tire problem,” I re- 
marked. “A puncture will put you out of busi- 
ness as quickly as it would any other machine.” 

“A puncture!” he exclaimed. “Why, these 
tires cannot puncture, sir.” 

“Why not?” 

“They are not inflated.” 

“What then?” 

“It is another of my inventions, Mr. Steele. 

6o 


We Come to Grief 


Inside each casing is a mass of sponge-rubber, of 
a peculiarly resilient and vigorous character. And 
.within the casing itself is embedded a net of steel 
wire, which will not allow the vulcanized rubber 
to be cut to any depth. The result is an excellent 
tire that cannot be punctured and has great 
permanency.’’ 

“You do not seem to have overlooked any im- 
portant point,” I observed, admiringly. 

“Ah, that is the one thing that now occupies 
my mind,” he responded, quickly. “That is why 
I have been testing the machine today, even in 
the limited way that is alone possible. I am 
haunted by the constant fear that I have over- 
looked some important point, which another 
might discover.” 

“And have you found such a thing?” 

“No; to all appearances the device is perfect. 
But who can tell what may yet develop?” 

“Not I,” with a smile; “you have discounted 
my mechanical skill already. To my mind the 
invention seems in every way admirable, Mr. 
Moit.” 

For nine days we lay becalmed, with cloud- 
61 


Sam Steele in Panama 


less skies above and a tranquil sea around us. 
During the day we rested drowsily in the op- 
pressive heat, but the nights were always cooler 
and myriads of brilliant stars made it nearly as 
light as day. Ned had taken in every yard of 
canvas except a square sail which he rigged for- 
ward, and he took the added precaution to lash 
every movable thing firmly to its place. 

"‘After this, weVe got to expect ugly 
weather,” he announced; and as he knew the 
Caribbean well this preparation somewhat dis- 
mayed me. I began to wish we had entered the 
Gulf of Mexico and made the roundabout trip; 
but it was too late for regrets now, and we must 
make the best of our present outlook. 

Personally I descended into the hold and ex- 
amined with care the seams, finding that the 
calking had held securely so far and that we were 
as right and tight as when we had first sailed. 
But even this assurance was not especially en- 
couraging, for we had met with no weather that 
a canoe might not have lived through without 
shipping more than a few drops of sea. 

The ninth day was insufferably hot, and the 
62 


We Come to Grief 


evening brought no relief. Ned Britton’s face 
looked grave and worried, and I overheard him 
advising Duncan Moit to add several more an- 
chor ropes to those that secured his machine. 

We awaited the change in the weather anx- 
iously enough, and toward midnight the stars 
began to be blotted out until shortly a black pall 
overhung the ship. The air seemed vibrant and 
full of an electric feel that drew heavily upon 
one’s nerves ; but so far there had been no breath 
of wind. 

At last, when it seemed we could wait no 
longer, a distant murmur was heard, drawing 
ever nearer and louder until its roar smote our 
ears like a discharge of artillery. The ship be- 
gan to roll restlessly, and then the gale and the 
waves broke upon us at the same instant and with 
full force. 

Heavily weighted and lazy as the bark was, 
she failed to rise to the first big wave, which 
washed over her with such resistless power that 
it would have swept every living soul away had 
we not clung desperately to the rigging. It 
seemed to me that I was immersed in a wild, 

63 


Sam Steele in Panama 


seething flood for several minutes ; but they must 
have been seconds, instead, for presently the 
water was gone and the wind endeavoring to tear 
me from my hold. 

The square sail held, by good luck, and the 
ship began to stagger onward, bowing her head 
deep and submitting to constant floods that 
washed her from end to end. There was not 
much that could be done to ease her, and the 
fervid excitement of those first hours kept us all 
looking after our personal safety. Along we 
went, scudding before the gale, which maintained 
its intensity unabated and fortunately drove us 
along the very course we had mapped out. 

The morning relieved the gloom, but did not 
lessen the force of the storm. The waves were 
rolling pretty high, and all faces were serious or 
fearful, according to the disposition of their own- 
ers. In our old Saracen, or even the Flipper, I 
would not have minded the blow or the sea, but 
here was a craft of a different sort, and I did not 
know how she might stand such dreadful 
weather. 

I got Ned into the cabin, where we stood like 

64 


We Come to Grief 


a couple of drenched rats and discussed the situa- 
tion. On deck our voices could not be heard. 

“Are the small boats ready to launch?’’ I 
asked. 

“All ready, sir; but I doubt if they’d live 
long,” he replied. “However, this ’ere old hulk 
seems to be doin’ pretty decent. She lies low, 
bein’ so heavy loaded, an’ lets the waves break 
over her. That saves her a good deal of strain, 
Sam. If she don’t spring a-leak an’ the cargo 
holds steady, we’ll get through all right.” 

“Tried the pumps?” 

“Yes ; only bilge, so far.” 

“Very good. How long will the gale last?” 

“Days, perhaps, in these waters. There's 
no rule to go by, as I knows of. It’ll just blow 
till it blows itself out.” 

He went on deck again, keeping an eye always 
on the ship and trying to carry just enough canvas 
to hold her steady. 

Duncan Moit and Uncle Naboth kept to the 
cabin and were equally unconcerned. The latter 
was an old voyager and realized that it was best 


6s 


Sam Steele in Panama 


to be philosophical ; the former had never been at 
sea before and had no idea of our danger. 

On the third morning of this wild and per- 
sistent tempest the boatswain came to where Ned 
and I clung to the rigging and said : 

“She’s leaking, sir.” 

“Badly?” 

“Pretty bad, sir.” 

“Get the pumps manned, Ned,” said I; “I’ll 
go below and investigate.” 

I crawled into the hold through the forecastle 
cubby, as we dared not remove the hatches. I 
took along a sailor to carry the lantern, and we 
were not long in making the discovery that the 
Gladys H. was leaking like a sieve. Several of 
the seams that Mr. Harlan had caused to be 
calked so carefully had reopened and the water 
was spurting through in a dozen streams. 

I got back to my cabin and made a careful 
examination of the chart. According to my 
calculations we could not be far from the coast 
of Panama. If I was right, another six hours 
would bring us to the shore ; but I was not sure 
of my reckoning since that fearful gale had struck 
66 


We Come to Grief 


US. So the question whether or no the ship could 
live six hours longer worried me considerably, for 
the pumps were of limited capacity and the water 
was gaining on us every minute. 

I told Uncle Naboth our difficulty, and Dun- 
can Moit, who stood by, listened to my story with 
lively interest. 

‘‘Will you try to beach her, Sam?” enquired 
my uncle, with his usual calmness. 

“Of course, sir, if we manage to float long 
enough to reach the land. That is the best I can 
hope for now. By good luck the coast of Panama 
is low and marshy, and if we can drive the tub 
aground there the cargo may be saved to the own- 
ers.” 

“Ain’t much of a country to land in, Sam; 
is it?” 

“Not a very lovely place, Uncle, I’m told.” 

“It’s where they’re diggin’ the canal, ain’t 

it?” 

“I believe so.” 

“Well, we may get a chance to see the ditch. 
This ’ere travellin’ is full of surprises, Mr. Moit. 
I never thought to ’a’ brung a guide book o’ 
67 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Panama, or we could tell exactly where they 
make the hats.” 

The inventor appeared ill at ease. I could 
understand the man’s disappointment and anx- 
iety well enough. To beach his beloved ma- 
chine on a semi-barbarous, tropical shore was 
not what he had anticipated, and I had time to' 
feel sorry for him while thinking upon my own 
troubles. 

He followed me on deck, presently, and I saw 
him take a good look at the sea and shake his 
head despondently. The Convertible Automobile 
might work in ordinary water, but it was not in- 
tended for such mammoth waves as these. 

Then he watched the men at the pumps. They 
worked with a will, but in that cheerless way 
peculiar to sailors when they are forced to under- 
take this desperate duty. The ocean was push- 
ing in and they were trying to keep it out; and 
such a pitiful struggle usually results in favor of 
the ocean. 

Suddenly Moit conceived a brilliant idea. He 
asked for a length of hose, and when it was 
brought he threw off the covering of his machine 
68 


We Come to Grief 


and succeeded in attaching the hose to his engines. 
The other end we dropped into the hold, and 
presently, despite the lurching and plunging of 
the ship, the engines started and a stream the full 
size of the hose was sucked up and sent flowing 
into the scruppers. It really did better work than 
the ship’s pumps, and I am now positive that this 
clever arrangement was all that enabled us to 
float until we made the coast. 

In the afternoon, while the gale seemed to re- 
double its force, we sighted land — low, murky 
and uninteresting, but nevertheless land — and 
made directly for it. 

Darkness came upon us swiftly, but we held 
our course, still pumping for dear life and await- 
ing with tense nerves the moment of impact. 

What this shore, of which we had caught a 
glimpse, might be like I did not know, more than 
that it was reported low and sandy at the ocean’s 
edge and marshy in the interior. There were a 
few rocky islands at the south of the isthmus, 
and there might be rocks or breakers at any 
point, for all we knew. If the ship struck one 
of these we were surely doomed. 

69 


Sam Steele in Panama 


On and on we flew, with blackness all round 
us, until on a sudden the bow raised and our 
speed slackened so abruptly that we were all 
thrown prostrate upon the deck. The mainmast 
snapped and fell with a deafening crash, and 
slowly the ship rolled to starboard until the deck 
stood at a sharp angle, and trembled a few brief 
moments, and then lay still. 

The voyage of the Gladys H. was at an end. 


70 


CHAPTER V 


MAKING THE BEST OF IT 

“Are you there, Sam?” 

“Yes, Ned.” 

“Safe and sound?” 

“I think so.” 

Overhead the wind still whistled, but more 
moderately; around me I could hear the men 
stirring, with an occasional groan. We had 
come from the tempest-tossed seas into a place of 
comparative quiet, which just now was darker 
than the pocket of Erebus. 

I found the after cabin and slid down the 
steps, which inclined sidewise. Inside, however, 
the hanging lamps had withstood the shock and 
still cast a dim light over the room. I found 
Uncle Naboth reclining upon a bench with his 
feet braced against the table, while he puffed away 
complacently at one of his enormous cigars. 

. 71 


Sam Steele in Panama 

‘‘Stopped at a way station, Sam?’' he en- 
quired. 

“So it appears, Uncle.” 

“Any damage?” 

“Can’t tell, yet. Were you hurt?” 

He exhibited a great lump on his forehead, 
but smiled sweetly. 

“You should ’a’ seen me dive under the table, 
Sam. It were a reg’lar circus, with me the chief 
acrobat. Where are we?” 

“I’m going to find out.” 

I unhooked both the lanterns and started up 
the companion-way with them. Rather than re- 
main in the dark Uncle brought himself and his 
cigar after me. 

I gave Ned one of the lights and we began to 
look about us. Duncan Moit lay unconscious be- 
side his machine, the engines of which were still 
running smoothly. I tlirev/ back the lever and 
stopped them, and then a couple of seamen carried 
the inventor into the cabin. Black Nux had 
lighted another lantern, and with my uncle’s as- 
sistance undertook to do what he could to restore 
the injured man. 


72 


Making the Best of It 

Ned and I slid aft and found the stern still 
washed by a succession of waves that dashed over 
it. Walking the deck was difficult because the 
ship listed from stem to stern and from port to 
starboard. Her bow was high and dry on a 
sand-bar — or such I imagined it to be — but it was 
only after I had swung a lantern up a halyard 
of the foremast, so that its dim rays would il- 
lumine the largest possible area, that I dis- 
covered we had plunged straight into a deep in- 
let of the coast. On one side of us appeared to 
be a rank growth of tangled shrubs or under- 
brush; on the other was the outline of a forest. 
Ahead was clear water, but its shallow depth had 
prevented our proceeding farther inland. 

Either the gale had lessened perceptibly or we 
did not feel it so keenly in our sheltered position. 
An examination of the men showed that one of 
them had broken an arm and several others were 
badly bruised; but there were no serious casual- 
ties. 

The ship was now without any motion what- 
ever, being fast on the bottom of the inlet. The 
breakers that curled over the stern did her no 


73 


Sam Steele in Panama 


damage, and these seemed to be gradually lessen- 
ing in force. 

Ned sent his tired men to their bunks and 
with the assistance of Bryonia, who was almost as 
skillful in surgery as in cooking, prepared to set 
the broken arm and attend to those who were the 
most bruised. 

I went to the cabin again, and found that 
Uncle Naboth and Nux had been successful in re- 
storing Duncan Moit, who was sitting up and 
looking around him with a dazed expression. I 
saw he was not much hurt, the fall having merely 
stunned him for the time being. 

“The machine — the machine!” he was mut- 
tering, anxiously. 

“It’s all right, sir,” I assured him. “I shut 
down the engines, and she seems to have weath- 
ered the shock in good shape.” 

He seemed relieved by this report, and passed 
his hand across his brow as if to clear his brain. 

“Where are we?” was his next query. 

“No one knows, sir. But we are landed high 
and dry, and I’m almost sure it is some part of 
the coast of Panama. To-morrow morning we 
74 


Making the Best of It 

can determine our location more accurately. But 
now, Mr. Moit, I recommend that you tumble into 
your bunk and get all the rest you can before day- 
break.” 

The strain of the last few days had been severe 
upon all of us, and now that the demand for work 
or vigilance was removed we found that our 
strength had been overtaxed. I left Ned to set 
a watch, and sought my own bed, on which I 
stretched myself to fall asleep in half a minute. 

‘Wake up. Mars’ Sam,” said Nux, shaking 
me. “Breakfas’ ready, seh.” 

I rubbed my eyes and sat up. The sun was 
streaming through the cabin window, which was 
on the port side. Around me was a peculiar 
silence which contrasted strongly with the tur- 
moil that had so long buffeted my ears. The 
gale had passed on and left us to count the 
mischief it had caused. 

“What time is it, Nux?” 

“Eight o’clock. Mars’ Sam.” 

I sprang up, now fully conscious of the night’s 
tragedy, which sleep had for a time driven from 
my mind. Nux stood with my basin and towel 

75 


Sam Steele in Panama 


and his calmness encouraged me to bathe before 
I went on deck. 

In the mess-cabin I found that the table legs 
had been propped up with boxes to hold it level, 
and that a hot breakfast had been prepared and 
was now steaming on the table. Around the 
board were gathered Ned Britton, Uncle Naboth 
and Duncan Moit, all busily engaged in eating. 
They greeted me cheerfully and bade me sit down 
and join them. 

‘‘How is everything, Ned?’^ I enquired, anx- 
iously. 

“Bad as can be, an’ right as a trivet, Sam,” 
he replied. “The Gladys H. ’ll never float again. 
Her bottom’s all smashed in, an’ she’s fast in 
the mud till she goes to pieces an’ makes kindlin’- 
wood for the Injuns.” 

“Then the cargo is safe, for the present?” 

“To be sure. It can’t get lost, ’cause it’s a 
chunk o’ steel, and the ship’s planks ’ll hold it in 
place for a long time. It’ll get good and soaked, 
but I’ve noticed it’s all painted to keep it from 
rustin’. This ain’t San Pedro, whatever else it 
is, and the voyage has miscarried a bit; but them 
76 


Making the Best of It 

beams is a good deal better off here than at the 
bottom o' the sea, so I take it we've done the best 
we could by the owners." 

I sat down and took the coffee Nux poured 
for me. 

‘'How about the crew?" I asked. “Are the 
men all right?" 

“No body hurt but Dick Lombard, and his 
arm '11 mend nicely." 

“Have you any idea where we are, Ned ?" 

“Stuck in a river, somewhere. Wild country 
all around us, but I guess we can find a way out. 
Lots o’ provisions and a good climate. We may 
say as we’re in luck, Sam." 

I shook my head dismally. It did not appear 
to me that luck had especially favored us. To 
be sure, we might have gone to the bottom of the 
Caribbean in the gale; but it struck me we had 
landed the cargo in an awkward place for the 
owners as well as for ourselves. Mr. Harlan 
would have done better had he not taken the long 
chance of our making the voyage to San Pedro 
successfully. 

“Well, I cannot see that we have failed in our 

77 


Sam Steele in Panama 


duty, in any way,” I remarked, as cheerfully as I 
could, ''so we may as well make the best of it.” 

"This bein' a tourist, an’ travellin’ fer pleas- 
ure,” said Uncle Naboth, "is more fun than a 
kickin’ mule. Sam’s got to worry, ’cause he’s 
paid fer it; but we passengers can look on an’ 
enjoy ourselves. Eh, Mr. Moit?” 

"It is a serious situation for me,” replied the 
inventor. "Think of it, gentlemen! The most 
wonderful piece of mechanism the world has yet 
known is stranded in a wilderness, far from 
civilization.” 

"That is your own fault,” remarked Ned, 
bluntly. 

"Not that, sir; it is fate.” 

"The machine is all right,” said I. "You 
will have no trouble to save it.” 

"As for that, I must, of course, make the best 
of the adverse circumstances that have overtaken 
me,” he replied, with more composure than I had 
expected. ,"It is not my nature to be easily dis- 
couraged, else I could never have accomplished 
what I have in the perfection of any inventions. 
My greatest regret, at this moment, is that the 

78 


Making the Best of It 

world will be deprived, for a longer period than 
I had intended, of the benefits of my Convertible 
Automobile.” 

“Having never known its excellent qualities, 
sir, the world can wait,” asserted Uncle Naboth, 
philosophically. I have noticed one can be quite 
philosophical over another’s difficulties. 

Having hurried through my breakfast, which 
our faithful Bryonia had prepared most excel- 
lently in spite of the fact that his galley was at 
an angle of nearly forty-five degrees, I went on 
deck to obtain for the first time a clear view of 
our surroundings. 

The tide had changed and the wind fallen. 
We lay in the center of a placid river — high and 
dry, as Ned had said — with the current gently 
rippling against our bow. Not more than ten 
yards to the right was a low, marshy bank 
covered with scrub underbrush of a tropical char- 
acter. On our left, however, and some fifty 
yards distant, lay a well defined bank marking the 
edge of the stately forest which I had observed 
the night before. The woodland gradually 
sloped upward from the river, and above it, far 
79 


Sam Steele in Panama 


to the south, a formidable range of mountains 
was visible. 

Between us and this left bank the water 
seemed a fair depth, but it was quite shallow on 
our right. It seemed wonderful that any gale 
could have sent so big a ship so far up the river ; 
but I remembered that the billows had followed 
us in, and doubtless their power alone had urged 
us forward. 

Here we were, anyway, and here the Gladys 
H. must remain until demolished by time, tide or 
human endeavor. 

For the rest, the air was warm and pleasant, 
with a blue sky overhead. Aside from the loss 
that would follow the salvage of the valuable 
cargo we had good reason to thank Providence 
for our fortunate escape from death. 

I felt that I had done as much to promote the 
interests of the owners as any man could do ; but 
the conditions had been adverse, and the responsi- 
bility was now theirs, and not mine. 

The gravest part of the situation, so far as I 
was personally concerned, was to get my men into 
some civilized port where they could find an op- 
8o 


Making the Best of It 

portunity to get home again. Also I must notify 
Mr. Harlan, by cable, and that as soon as possible, 
of the location and condition of his cargo. The 
loss of the ship I knew would matter little to him, 
as he had asserted this several times. 

And now to solve the problem of our location. 
I had reason to believe that we had not varied to 
any great extent from the course my chart had 
indicated. Somewhere, either up or down the 
coast, was Colon, the Atlantic terminal of the 
Panama canal, and to reach that place ought not 
to be especially difficult, because our small boats 
were in fairly good condition. 

The river made a bend just ahead of us, and 
my first thought was to get out a boat and explore 
the stream for a way. We might find some vil- 
lage, I imagined, or at least some evidence of 
human habitation. 

So I ordered the gig lowered and took with 
me four men, besides Duncan Moit, who wanted 
to go along and begged the privilege. The cur- 
rent was languid and easy to breast, so we made 
excellent progress. 

Bend after bend we made, for the stream was 
8i 


Sam Steele in Panama 


as crooked as a ram^s horn ; but always the forest 
towered on the one hand and the low, marshy 
flats prevailed upon the other. 

Rowing close to the shore, under the shadow 
of the trees, we could hear the stealthy sound of 
wild beasts in the wildnerness, and once we es- 
pied a sleek jaguar lying flat upon the bank to 
drink. But no sign of man or civilization of any 
sort did we encounter. Even the woodman’s axe 
was nowhere in evidence. 

We hugged the forest for several miles, find- 
ing the river easily navigable for small steamers.^ 
Then we decided to return, and followed the edge 
of the opposite marsh, which was much less in- 
viting and less liable to be inhabited than the other 
shore. 

We were scarcely a mile from the ship when 
Moit suddenly exclaimed: 

‘Tsn’t that a canoe?” 

“Where?” I asked. 

He pointed to a small inlet, and I could see 
plainly a craft that looked like an Indian dugout 
lying among the reeds. 

“Let us get it and see what it looks like,” said 
82 


Making the Best of It 

I, hailing with some satisfaction this first evi- 
dence of human handicraft. 

At the word my men rowed in, and the sailor 
in the bow, as he grasped the gunwale of the 
canoe, uttered a startled cry. 

‘‘What is it?” I asked. 

Without reply he drew the canoe alongside 
our boat, and we could all see the form of a man 
lying flat upon his face on the rough bottom. 


83 


CHAPTER VI 


THE DEAD MAN’s STORY 

“Turn him over, Tom,” said I, softly, and 
the sailor clambered into the canoe and obeyed — 
rather gingerly, though, for no one likes to 
touch a dead man. , 

The bearded face and staring eyes that con- 
fronted us were those of one of our own race, a 
white man who had been shot through the heart 
with an arrow that still projected from the 
wound. His clothing was threadbare and hung 
almost in rags, while his feet were protected by 
rude sandals of bark laced with thongs of some 
vegetable fibre. He was neither a Mexican nor 
a Spaniard, but I judged him a North American 
of German descent, if his physiognomy could be 
trusted. 

The man had not long been dead, that was 
quite evident, and the arrow that had pierced his 
heart must have killed him instantly. I pulled out 
84 



The arrow must have killed him instantly 



The Dead Man’s Story 

the weapon and found it of skillful construction, 
— a head of hammered bronze fastened to a shaft 
most delicately shaped and of a wood that re- 
sembled yew. It differed materially from any 
Indian arrow I had ever before seen. 

The mystery of this man’s life and death 
seemed impenetrable, and I ordered the canoe at- 
tached to our stern and towed it in our wake 
down to the ship. 

A sailor’s burial ground is the sea; so I de- 
cided to sew the corpse in sacking, weight it 
heavily, and sink it in the deepest water of the 
river. 

Before doing this one of the men searched the 
pockets of the tattered clothing and drew out a 
small book that looked like a diary, a pocket- 
knife, several bits of lead-pencil and a roll of thin 
bark tied with wisps of the same material. 

These things I took charge of, and then 
watched the obsequies. These were quickly per- 
formed, Ned reading a short prayer from his 
Bible by way of ceremony while all our company 
stood with bared heads. Then the men rowed 

'i 

the body out to the deepest part of the river, and 

85 


Sam Steele in Panama 


as I watched them from the deck I noticed they 
were thrown into a state of sudden excitement 
and heard cries of anger and alarm. Lifting my 
glass into position I discovered the cause of this. 
The boat was surrounded by sharks, their dark 
heads and white bellies alternating as they slowly 
swam round and round, attracted by the scent of 
prey. I yelled to the men to bring the body back, 
but they were too excited to hear me and the 
next instant had dumped the weighted sack over- 
board^ and begun to row back to the wreck at 
racing speed. 

It was just as well, however. I am quite sure 
the poor fellow reached bottom before a shark 
could seize him, and once on the bottom they 
would be unable to either see him or grasp him in 
their jaws. 

Seated on the deck with the others and shaded 
from the sun by a heavy awning, I glanced at the 
diary and found that the murdered man had not 
made a daily record, but had written upon the 
pages a sort of narrative, which seemed likely to 
prove interesting. So I asked Duncan Moit to 
read it aloud, which he did. I have it beside me 
86 


The Dead Man’s Story 

now, and copy the following word for word as it 
was first read to us that day in the tropics with the 
wilderness all around us. 

‘‘My name is Maurice Kleppisch,’' it began, 
“by profession an engineer and mining expert re- 
siding at Denver, Colorado, at those times when 
I am at home. 

“Nine years ago I ,was sent to the Republic 
of Colombia to examine a mine, and while there 
I joined myself to a party that was formed to 
visit the San Bias Country, at the south of 
Panama, and trade with the Indians who are 
the masters of a vast territory there. I am no 
trader, but my object was to take advantage of 
this opportunity to investigate the mining pos- 
sibilities of the wild and unknown region of San 
Bias, thinking that should I fall in with traces of 
gold my fortune would be made. 

“But, when we arrived at the border, the ar- 
rogant Indians would not allow us to enter their 
country at all, commanding us, with imperious 
scorn, to stand at a respectful distance and dis- 
play our wares. The traders obeyed without 
demur, but I was angry and vengeful, and for 

87 


Sam Steele in Panama 

a time considered my journey a failure. The 
Indians, however, exchanged their cocoanuts and 
sheep-skins — with such other things as their land 
produced — with great willingness and absolute 
honesty and fairness, and the traders learned that 
their given word was held inviolate. 

“Nursing my disappointment at being excluded 
from this mysterious country, I stood sullenly 
watching the bartering when my attention was 
aroused by an object that made my heart bound 
with excitement. It was an immense rough 
diamond, set in the bronze shaft of a spear borne 
by Nalig-Nad, the king of the San Bias and the 
most stalwart, dignified and intelligent Indian I 
have ever seen. 

“I will here explain that the strange race 
known as the San Bias Indians of Southern 
Panama is none other than that historic remnant 
of the Aztec nation which, when Mexico was 
conquered by the Spaniard, fled through morass 
and mountains, across plains and rivers, until they 
came to this then unknown wilderness. Here 
they located and established a new nation which 
they call Techla. Their territory stretches south 
88 


The Dead Man’s Story 

of the natural depression of the isthmus from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and contains vast 
stretches of forests and coastal plains, which they 
have ever jealously guarded from intrusion. No 
more did they build beautiful cities and golden 
temples, for gold they had learned to abhor be- 
cause the lust for it had brought the white demons 
upon them in Mexico. The white skinned races 
were cordially detested as the destroyers of their 
former nation. By them the Techlas had been 
driven from the abode bequeathed them by their 
ancestors. 

“The creed of the new nation, therefore, con- 
tained two prime articles of faith : Never to mine 
or trade or employ gold in any form for use or 
ornament; to hate and oppose every white man 
that came near them. 

“The San Bias people are not truly Indians, 
as we regard the West Indian and Central Ameri- 
can tribes, but are well formed, intelligent and 
fierce. Their skin is of copper-colored hue and 
they have a characteristic dress that is peculiar to 
their nation. They have an established govern- 
ment centering in the king, humane and just laws 
89 


Sam Steele in Panama 


for the guidance of their tribes, and many racial 
characteristics. It is said the weaker Aztecs re- 
mained in Mexico as slaves of the Spaniards, 
while the nobles and the most stalwart and 
powerful individuals, realizing their inability to 
oppose the usurpers but scorning to become their 
vassals, fled southward in the manner I have de- 
scribed. 

“However true this may be, I found the San 
Bias — a name given them by the early Spaniards 
but never acknowledged by themselves — to be 
well worthy of admiration in all ways except their 
persistent hatred of the whites. They gave our 
party cocoanuts and cereals, tortoise-shells, skins 
of wild beasts that were most skillfully dressed, 
and a soft quality of lamb’s wool, in exchange for 
knives, glass beads, compasses, colored crayons, 
mirrors and other inexpensive trinkets. 

“When I got my eye upon the king’s mam- 
moth diamond I was so amazed that I trembled 
with eagerness. The gem must have weighed 
fully five hundred carats, and being intent to ob- 
tain it for myself I offered my silver watch, a 


90 


The Dead Man’s Story 

fountain pen, my comb and brushes and a quantity 
of buttons in exchange for the diamond. 

‘‘My very anxiety was the cause of my un- 
doing. My reckless offers aroused the king’s sus- 
picions, and when my comrades also saw the 
diamond they became as anxious as I was, and 
offered so much for a bit of stone which the king 
had never considered of any value, that he ques- 
tioned us closely and learned that the white men 
esteem these gems even more than they do gold. 

“Then the king drew himself up proudly and 
spoke to his men in their own native dialect, with 
which we are unfamiliar. Several of the Indians 
brought to their ruler specimens of -the same 
stones — rough diamonds ranging from the size of 
a pea upward. These they had doubtless gath- 
ered and kept because they were pretty, but Nalig- 
Nad took them all in his hand and, having pried 
his own. splendid stone from its setting in the 
spearshaft, he advanced to the edge of the river 
and cast them all into its depths. 

“ ‘I have told my men,’ said he, ‘never to 
gather these pebbles again ; nor will we ever trade 
them to the white men. I class them with the 


91 


Sam Steele in Panama 


gold, for we are determined not to own anything 
which will arouse the mad desires of your people.’ 

''A few of the San Bias, including their king, 
speak the English language; more of them speak 
in the Spanish tongue; but their own language, 
as I have said, is distinct from the dialects of the 
other Indian tribes and the white men have no 
opportunity to learn it. 

*^We were greatly disappointed by the loss of 
the gems, and when we returned to our camp 
we talked the matter over and concluded that 
there must be many diamonds lying exposed upon 
the surface of the ground in some part of the 
San Bias territory. Else the Indians would not 
have been enabled to pick up such choice and 
extraordinarily large specimens as we had seen. 

“I did not like to go away without making an 
attempt to locate these diamond fields, and seven 
of the party, adventurous as myself, determined 
to join in braving the anger of the stern Nalig- 
Nad. So at night we stole through the north 
forest and by morning had come to the edge of the 
fertile plains whereon the San Bias mostly dwell. 

‘Their country may be divided into three sec- 
92 


The Dead Man’s Story 

tions: First, the North Forest, bordering on the 
Panama marshes and the wilderness. Second, a 
high and broad sweep of coastal plains, formed by 
eroded drift from the mountains. This section 
is well watered by numerous streams and the soil 
is extremely rich and fertile. To the east, by the 
Atlantic coast, are the cocoanut groves, but most 
of this fruit is grown upon several islands lying 
off the coast in the Atlantic. The third division 
lies south of the plains and consists of a magnifi- 
cent primeval forest which covers thickly all the 
slope of the mountains. The climate, especially 
that of the uplands, is temperate and delightful, 
and it has been stated that these powerful Indians 
control the most desirable bit of land in the West- 
ern Hemisphere. 

‘Tt was in the plain that we determined to 
search for the diamond fields, and as the Indians 
had arbitrarily forbidden white men to enter their 
domain, we stained our faces and arms and chests 
with walnut juice, and dressed ourselves in imita- 
tion of the San Bias people as nearly as we were 
able. And thus we prowled around for several 
days, until in a rich valley covered with alluvial 
93 


Sam Steele in Panama 


deposit I picked up one of the coveted ‘‘pebbles/’ 
and to our great delight we knew that we had 
stumbled upon the right place. 

“An hour later we were surrounded by a band 
of the San Bias and made prisoners. We relied 
upon our disguises to protect us, but when they 
had examined us closely the Indians stripped off 
our clothing and discovered our white skins. 
We knew, then, our fate was sealed. 

“These people allow negroes to enter their 
country, and even employ some of them to labor 
upon their farms. Other Indian tribes of the 
mountains, who are all hostile to the whites, are 
permitted to pass through the San Bias territory, 
and sometimes these mountaineers have with them 
white slaves, who are treated cruelly and obliged 
to bear their burdens. But these whites who are 
the slaves of Indians are the only ones ever toler< 
ated in the country, and a band like our own, 
entering by stealth to secure treasure, might ex- 
pect no mercy at the hands of the San Bias. 

“Being taken before Nalig-Nad at his own 
village, he condemned us all to death but one, who 
was to be sent back to Colombia to tell the fate 
94 


The Dead Man’s Story 

of those who dared defy the laws of the San Bias. 
We cast lots, and I drew the fortunate number. 
My comrades, two of whom were young men of , 
position and wealth in Bogota, were ruthlessly 
murdered, and I was then escorted to the border 
and set free. 

“I reported the matter to the Colombian au- 
thorities, and a company of soldiers was promptly 
sent by the President to punish the impudent In- 
dians and teach them not to molest the whites in 
the future. After a long period of waiting a 
single soldier, who had his ears cut off and was 
otherwise horribly mutilated, arrived at Bogota to 
tell of the total extinction of all his fellows and to 
report that King Nalig-Nad had promised to treat 
in the same manner any who dared to interfere 
with his authority. The government decided to 
let these fierce Indians alone. There were other 
troubles, nearer home, that needed attention. 

‘T returned to Denver, but could not get this 
rich diamond field out of my head. I was a poor 
man, yet I knew where I might obtain countless 
treasure — if I dared but make the attempt. 

‘‘Finally I decided that I might be able to ac- 

95 


Sam Steele in Panama 


complish alone what a band of v/hite men could 
never succeed in doing, and having formulated my 
plans I sailed to Colon and prepared to enter once 
more the country of the San Bias. 

*‘My idea was admirably simple. The In- 
dians feel so secure that they seldom prowl by 
night, and in their climate the stars and moon are 
so brilliant that they illuminate the country al- 
most as well as does the sun by day. By 
stealthily avoiding all habitations and villages, I 
had a fair chance to escape observation, and the 
valley I sought was in an uninhabited part of the 
plains. 

took a canoe and a package of provisions, 
and began my journey by entering the San 
Maladrino river at the Atlantic mouth. I fol- 
lowed this until the river passed between two 
high hills, which may be seen in the crude map 
I have drawn for the benefit of others, should I 
lose my life in this desperate adventure. 

“A stream of which I do not know the name 
enters the San Maladrino just beyond the hills 
mentioned, and leads to the southward. It passes 
through the first forest and is broad and deep. 

96 



Sam Steele in Panama 


Hiding* in the forest the first day, I cautiously 
paddled my canoe up this stream the next night 
and passed a portion of the plain until I reached 
a smaller tributary entering from the left. This 
tributary flows through the most fertile and most 
thickly inhabited portion of the Indian lands. At 
the first junction I turned to the right and pad- 
died along until I could go no further by boat. 
So, secreting my canoe in some bushes, I walked 
during the following night to the valley which we 
had before visited, and which lies in the uplands 
near to the edge of the great mountain forest. 
This tangled woodland favored me, for in it I hid 
securely by day, while at night I searched for dia- 
monds in my valley. 

‘T found many stones, and some of extraor- 
dinary size and beauty, but was greatly retarded 
in my discoveries by the dimness of the light. 
The forest shaded the valley part of the time, and 
only for a brief two hours each night was the light 
of the moon directly upon the slight depression 
where I labored. 

‘‘And now I have been three weeks hidden in 
the heart of the San Bias district, and no one has 

98 


The Dead Man’s Story 

observed me as yet. I have secured almost three 
quarts of superb diamonds — a fortune so enor- 
mous that I am considering a speedy return to 
civilization. Meantime, I have employed some of 
my leisure moments in writing this history in my 


99 


CHAPTER VII 


THE FOLLY OF THE WISE 

No one had interrupted Duncan Moit as he 
read clearly and slowly the above interesting 
story, but as he paused at the close of the last 
paragraph I have recorded we gave some sighs 
of wonder and admiration and looked at one an- 
other curiously to see what impression the ‘^his- 
tory” was making. 

‘^Go on!” cried Uncle Naboth, eagerly. 
*‘That can’t be all.” 

‘‘No,” answered the inventor, “it is not all. 
But it seems to cover the period of the first writ- 
ing. The other entries are more hurried and 
more carelessly inscribed.” 

“Is the map he mentions there?” I asked. 

“Yes. It is badly drawn, for an engineer, 
but sufficiently clear, I imagine, to enable one to 
follow it with ease.” 

“Then read on, please.” 


lOO 


The Folly of the Wise 

He obeyed at once. 

‘'Last night, as I approached the forest after 
my work in the valley, I saw a man’s face peering 
at me from between the trees. The moon shone 
on it clearly. It was an Indian’s face, but in an 
instant it had disappeared. Greatly startled, I 
searched the forest with care, but could find no 
trace of the spy. I may have been deceived, how- 
ever. Perhaps my nerves are getting unstrung.” 

Moit turned a leaf. 

“Again I have seen a man’s face,” he read. 
“This time it was in the center of the valley, 
among a clump of low bushes. I ran to the 
forest in a state of excitement; then reproached 
myself for my folly and came back; but I could 
find nothing.” 

“These are all different entries,” remarked the 
reader, turning another page. “I will read them 
as they appear.” 

“I am confident,” proceeded the writer, “that 
I have been discovered at last by the San Bias. 
They have spies all around me, by day as well as 
by night, but to my surprise they have not yet mo- 
lested me in any way. I have determined to get 


lOI 


Sam Steele in Panama 


away at once — this very night— but as I may be 
seized, and perhaps murdered, I shall not take 
more than a part of my treasure with me. This 
valley of diamonds is far richer than any field 
ever discovered in South Africa, and if I am able 
to escape I shall secure assistance and come here 
again ^ in spite of the San Bias. So I will leave 
the greater part of my treasure where it has been 
hidden, and take only such stones as I can com- 
fortably carry in my pockets. I must write a de- 
scription of where the diamonds are secreted, for 
if I am killed and any white man comes upon this 
book, I bequeathe to him my wealth, provided he 
is brave enough to take it from the country of the 
San Bias. Here is my injunction: When you 
have reached the valley I have marked upon the 
map, you will find near its center a boulder of 
deep red granite, bare and solitary, the upper por- 
tion bearing an arm-like projection or spike that 
points directly toward the forest. Follow this 
line of direction and you will come upon a gi- 
gantic mahogany tree standing just at the edge 
of the forest, which is really a jungle at this 
point. Back of the mahogany is a large dead 


102 


The Folly of the Wise 

Stump, surrounded by moss. Lift the moss at the 
right of the stump and you will come upon a cav- 
ity in which I have secreted, my hoard of dia- 
monds. You will have no trouble in recognizing 
the valley, on account of the remarkable boulder 
of rock, and the rest is easy. ... I have 
reached the stream and found my canoe safe ; but 
I must keep hidden among the bushes until an- 
other night. I do not think I have been followed, 
but I cannot be sure. The strange inaction of the 
San Bias astonishes me and makes me uneasy. 

“The worst has happened, and it is not so very 
bad, after all. They seized me last evening and 
took away my diamonds, which they cast into the 
river with absolute disdain of their value. But 
then they at once released me, and went away and 
left me to myself. Fortunately I had hidden ten 
fine stones in a roll of bark, and these they failed 
to discover. I am sorry to have lost the others, 
but these few specimens will prove the truth of 
my story when I get home. The adventure 
shows my wisdom in leaving the bulk of the 
treasure secreted in the forest. . . . There 


103 


Sam Steele in Panama 


is no use in hiding myself now, for my presence is 
well known. Why I should have been spared, 
when every other white intruder has been killed, 
I cannot explain. But they seem to have made 
an exception in my favor, and I am jubilant and 
fearful at the same time. Somehow, I cannot 
help imagining that these dreadful Indians are 
playing with me, as a cat does with a mouse. But 
I shall go boldly forward, and trust to luck to es- 
cape.” 

‘‘Is that all ?” I asked, as Duncan Moit paused 
and closed the book. 

“It is all.” 

“But the rest of the poor fellow’s ^story is as 
clear as if he had written it,” I commented, mus- 
ingly. “The Indians waited until he had reached 
the last boundary of their territory, and then put 
an arrow into his heart. Where he fell they left 
him, trusting the canoe would float down the 
stream and warn other whites not to venture too 
near.” 

“Do you think that story is true?” enquired 
Uncle Naboth, with some asperity. 

“Why not. Uncle?” 

104 


The Folly of the Wise 

sounds fishy, to my notion.’’ 

I drew the roll of bark we had taken from the 
pocket of the dead man and cut with my knife the 
thongs which bound it together. After removing 
the outer wrappers I found ten crystal pebbles in 
the center, which I handed around so that all 
could examine them with care. Only Uncle Na- 
both had seen rough diamonds before, but the 
grunts of the shrewd old trader told me at once 
that he recognized the value of these stones. 

However, I looked up the acid test in one of 
my books in the stateroom, and was able to apply 
it in a satisfactory manner. We managed to 
crumble a portion of one stone and with the dust 
thus secured Duncan polished a small surface on 
another. They were diamonds, sure enough, 
very white in color and seemingly perfect speci- 
mens. 

And all the while we were thus occupied the 
four of us were silently thinking. Each one, 
moreover, took the book and read with care the 
story for himself. The map was crude enough, 
but I stared at it so intently that every pencil mark 
was indelibly impressed upon my brain. 

105 


Sam Steele in Panama 


At dinner we were an unsociable party. Af- 
terward we assembled on the deck. Uncle Na- 
both smoked his pipe instead of the big cigar, 
but said nothing. Ned put his face between his 
hands and resting his elbows upon his knees 
stared fixedly at the deck in meditative silence. 
Duncan Moit hung over the rail and gazed at the 
river as it murmured by. 

I looked at my comrades and smiled at their 
absorption. This longing for treasure and sud- 
den wealth is natural enough, and few men are 
able to escape it. I knew very well that all of us 
were pondering on a way to get at the diamonds 
Maurice Kleppisch had left secreted in the forest 
of San Bias. I may as well acknowledge that I 
was fully as covetous as the others, but a hearty 
fear of those strange Indians did much to lessen 
my desire to visit them. 

The evening passed with scarcely a remark, 
and when we went to bed we were still thinking. 
Not of the wrecked ship, though, or how we 
should save the cargo and get ourselves into some 
civilized port. The reading of the dead man^s 
narrative had turned our thoughts entirely from 
io6 


The Folly of the Wise 

our own mischance and inoculated us with a 
feverish desire to plunge into the same adventur- 
ous channels that had resulted so fatally in his 
own case. 

At breakfast Uncle Naboth suddenly aban- 
doned all pretense of reserve. 

‘This is the San Maladrino river/’ he as- 
serted. 

We all nodded, our faces serious and atten- 
tive. 

“Of course,” said I. “He returned the same 
way he entered the San Bias country, and we 
found him floating on this very stream.” 

No one cared to discuss a proposition so very 
evident, and having hurriedly finished the meal we 
assembled on deck to resume the conversation. 

‘Uentlemen,” said Moit, “you have all ar- 
rived at some conclusion, I am sure. Let us ex- 
change ideas, and discuss their various merits.” 

I asked Ned Britton to speak first. 

“Well,” said he, “it wouldn’t be right or 
proper for us to leave them two or three quarts 
o’ diamon’s to rust under that stump. I notice 
the book says these Injuns don’t have firearms; 
107 


Sam Steele in Panama 


but we’ve got a plenty, so I perpose as we march 
in, pepper ’em good if they show fight, an’ then 
march out agin with the di’monds. I believe if 
we put up a good front there’s enough of us to do 
the job.” 

“Especially as a company of carefully drilled 
soldiers got wiped off the earth,” I remarked 
somewhat sarcastically. 

“Colombian sodgers don’t count,” said Ned. 
“Our men is the right stuff ’cause they’re all 
Americans.” 

“I confess that I do not like the looks of this 
arrow,” said Moit, handling cautiously the bronze 
tipped weapon we had drawn from the dead man’s 
breast. “It is evident they can shoot straight, and 
there may be thousands of the San Bias to fight, 
for all we know. I think that open warfare 
would result in our total extinction.” 

“If by that you mean we’d be punched full o’ 
holes, I quite agree with you,” observed Uncle 
Naboth. “Diplomacy’s the thing; diplomacy an’ 
caution. You can ketch more flies with sugar 
’n’ you can with vinegar.” 

“Haven’t you a suggestion, Uncle?” I asked. 
io8 


The Folly of the Wise 

During several voyages in the company of 
Naboth Perkins I had learned to have great re- 
spect for his shrewdness and judgment, and for 
that reason I now awaited his reply with genuine 
interest. 

He relighted his pipe, gave two or three ener- 
getic puffs, and then began: 

'This fellow, you'll notice, tells us a good deal 
about the San Bias Indians, an' what he says is all 
worth careful considerin'. They ain't like com- 
mon savages, but have their laws an' live up to 
'em. In one place he says niggers is used by 
them for slaves, and that white slaves of Injuns 
that is friendly to 'em, an' not to the whites, is let 
alone whenever they're in their country. Gentle- 
men — an' Sam, too — that's my keynote. It tells 
us plain what to do, an' how to do it !" 

He looked at us triumphantly, but I was too 
stupid to see the point of this argument. 

'T'm afraid I don't understand. Uncle," I 
said. 

"Well, you're wrong, Sam. It's a thing you 
can't help now, but you're likely to outgrow it. 


109 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Hey there, Nux!” he called. ‘^Get Bry an’ both 
o’ you come here.” 

I started, beginning to see what he meant; 
but I said nothing until the two Sulus stood before 
us. Bryonia was tall and slender, and very 
powerful. Nux was shorter and stouter, but 
equally strong of muscle. Their faces were intel- 
ligent and expressive and their poise exhibited 
a native dignity. Two more faithful followers 
no man ever had than this pair of South Sea In- 
dians, and I regarded them more as brothers than 
servants, for I owed my life to their bravery and 
care. 

‘"Gentleman,” announced Uncle Naboth, 
“these boys is Indians, and mighty good Indians, 
too. They’re goin’ to take us four white folks 
into the San Bias country as their slaves. They’ll 
be finely welcomed, for they’ll pound an’ kick us 
all around, and we’ll be meek as Moses till we git 
our fists on them di’monds. It’s jest as easy as 
rollin’ off a log, an’ a heap more fun.” 

I admit the suggestion filled me with admira- 
tion, and I saw Duncan Moit’s face brighten as 
soon as he heard it. 


no 


The Folly of the Wise 

‘That's it, sir!” he exclaimed. ‘That is just 
the idea I was looking foi, to connect with my 
own. By putting the two together I believe we 
shall succeed without a doubt.” 

“What is your idea, then ?” I asked. 

“To travel in my convertible automobile.” 

“What! Through a wilderness?” 

“Along the streams as far as the water will 
allow, and then over the level plains. The ma- 
chine will run in any farming country, for you 
must remember that it does not sink into soft 
ground as ordinary heavy automobiles do. In- 
deed, by turning the pumps into the vacuum 
chambers and exhausting them, I can render the 
car so light that it will almost skim over a 
marsh.” 

“But what’s the use of travellin’ that way?” 
asked Uncle Naboth. 

“We gain safety, in case of attack; speed, if 
we are forced to fly; comfort, by carrying our 
hotel always with us, and, above all, I rely upon 
the invention to awe the simple Indians and make 
them look upon us as superior creatures. The 
machine is here and in working order; it would 


III 


Sam Steele in Panama 


be folly, when it offers so many advantages, not 
to use it.” 

^'Very good,” said I, approvingly, for I could 
see the force of his arguments. 

‘‘The only thing that worried me,” continued 
Moit, “was the fact that our being white would 
arouse the enmity of the San Bias, in spite of the 
wonders we can show them. But if Nux and 
Bryonia pose as the masters, and we are merely 
their slaves to run and care for their magic 
travelling machine, then we need have no special 
fear.” 

“Magic travelling machine is good !” cried my 
uncle. “You've hit the nail on the head, Mr. 
Moit, as sure as fate !” 

The inventor smiled, as if pleased with the 
compliment. 

“If I can get a share of those diamonds,” said 
he, “I will be independent of my rich uncle in 
Los Angeles, and will have the means to secure 
my patents, erect my own factory, and manu- 
facture the machines myself. It is something to 
work for, is it not?” 


1 12 


The Folly of the Wise 

I had been carefully examining the proposi- 
tion, and now said ; 

^There seems to be a serious flaw in your ar- 
rangement, Uncle.” 

“What’s that, Sam?” 

“It isn’t reasonable that four white men 
should be slaves to two black ones. Such a 
combination would excite the suspicions of the 
Indians at once, if they are really as clever as 
they are reported to be. Take your own case, 
for example. Uncle Naboth. You couldn’t look 
like a slave for a single minute.” 

Indeed, Mr. Perkins’ stout little body, his 
cheery face and shrewd eyes, and the general air 
of prosperity and contentment that radiated from 
his benign personality, were a clear refutation of 
any suggestion of slavery or even dependence. 
Even Ned smiled at the idea, and Duncan Moit 
shook his head with a sigh. 

“Mr. Perkins can’t go,” he said. 

Uncle Naboth looked disappointed, and then 
puffed his pipe angrily. 

“You fellers don’t allow for my actin’,” he 


Sam Steele in Panama 


growled. ‘I’m as good a play actor as ever 
travelled with a show.” 

“That may be, Uncle; but you don’t look the 
part, and unfortunately you can’t disguise your- 
self,” I said. “But I want it clearly understood 
that whoever goes on this adventure, we are all 
to have an equal share in the spoils. For the 
opportunity belongs to us all alike, and all would 
be glad to go and do their full share.” 

“I am willing to agree to that,” said Moit. 

“Then I propose that you and I alone ac- 
company Bry and Nux on the expedition,” I con- 
tinued. “Two of us are as good as a dozen, for 
we cannot fight our way, in any event.” 

“What about me?” asked Britton, anxiously. 

“I want you to take a crew in the long boat 
and try to make Colon, by feeling your way north 
along the coast. From there you can report by 
wire our mishap to Mr. Harlan, and get his in- 
structions what to do. Uncle Naboth must in 
the meantime take charge of the wrecked ship 
and the remaining men. This country isn’t very 
big, you know; so we all ought to be able to 


The Folly of the Wise 

meet again in a few days, when we can decide 
upon our future movements.” 

And so the matter was finally arranged, and 
it was decided that Ned and his crew in the long 
boat and our party in our ‘"magic travelling 
machine” would leave the wreck the next morn- 
ing and proceed in opposite directions upon our 
respective missions. 


CHAPTER VIII 


THE SAN BLAS COUNTRY 

We had an early breakfast and then Ned 
Britton bade us good-bye and started obediently 
to descend the river and explore along the coast. 
He was loth to abandon the more dangerous and 
fascinating quest for the diamonds, but being 
loyal to the core he knew how to obey orders 
without grumbling. 

As soon as he was away we began prepara- 
tions for our own departure. The first thing 
was to arrange for launching the convertible 
automobile, which Moit had been examining very 
carefully ever since daybreak. He reported that 
it had sustained no damage whatever from the 
storm or the shock of grounding and was in 
perfect condition. So all we had to do was to 
remove the guy ropes, let it slide down the 
slanting deck to the bulwarks — over which we 
lifted it with a crane attached to the mizzenmast 
ii6 


The San Bias Country 

— and then let the machine descend gently until 
it rested on the bosom of the river. 

I was still so skeptical concerning some of 
Moit’s absurd claims that it would not have sur- 
prised me to see the huge car sink like a stone; 
but instead of that it rode the water like a duck, 
the wheels half submerged, the rail high above 
the water-line. 

We now filled the ample lockers beneath the 
seats with provisions, put in a cask of fresh water 
in case the river water proved unpalatable, and 
took along such trinkets as we could gather to- 
gether for trading purposes. We each carried a 
brace of revolvers, Moit and I (being slaves) 
concealing ours, while Nux and Bry carried 
theirs openly. 

Finally we dressed for the excursion. The 
gay checked suit and tourist cap of Uncle Naboth 
we gave to Nux, and although they hung rather 
loosely he presented a most startling appearance 
in them. He swung a brass watch chain of 
gigantic size across his vest front and Uncle gave 
him a few of the big cigars to smoke when he 
wanted to “show off/' 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Bry wore a white duck suit belonging to 
Duncan Moit, and to my astonishment looked as 
aristocratic as any Eastern potentate on his first 
visit to London. These Sulus were by no means 
bad looking men, if one could forget their color, 
and they took great delight in the transforma- 
tions we thrust upon them. 

As for Moit and myself, we hunted among 
the sailors’ cast-off togs for the most disreputable 
'‘land clothes” we could find, and those we se- 
lected were ragged and dirty enough, in all 
conscience. I wore a run-down shoe upon one 
foot and a red leather slipper on the other, and 
when I had rumpled my hair and soiled my face 
and hands I am sure I was as disgraceful in ap- 
pearance as any ragged urchin you ever came 
across. 

I was not wholly satisfied with Duncan, how- 
ever. In spite of his apparel there was so 
thoughtful a look in his big gray eyes and so 
well-bred and composed an expression on his 
finely molded features that he could not look a 
servant’s part as fully as I did and the best I 
could hope was that the San Bias people would 

ii8 


The San Bias Country 

consider him an unfortunate gentleman in hard 
luck. 

There was much laughter and amusement 
among the men we left behind on the wreck, 
when they beheld our queer appearance. Uncle 
Naboth chuckled until he coughed, and coughed 
until he choked, badly frightening those who 
were unaware that this startling exhibition was 
usual with him whenever he reached that climax 
of joy which he called being “despTitly pleased.’’ 

I bade him an affectionate farewell, and then 
we four got into the ^^auto-boat.” Moit sprung 
the paddles from the rims of the wheels and 
started the engines, and a minute later we were 
waving our hands to those on the wreck and 
gliding at a good rate of progress up the river. 

The bulky machine did not draw so much 
water as one would imagine, owing to its broad 
^displacement and the lightness of the material 
employed in its construction. We found the cur- 
rent gentle, and made such good time that at 
eleven o’clock we passed between the two hills 
indicated on Maurice Kleppisch’s map, a copy of 
which I had brought with us. 

119 


Sam Steele in Panama 


The current was swifter here because the 
mounds narrowed the river considerably; but 
Moit gave the engines a little more speed and we 
went through without abating our rate of prog- 
ress. 

Just beyond the hills we saw a group of In- 
dians standing beneath the trees on the left bank 
and regarding us earnestly but calmly. Per- 
haps they had seen small steamers and thought 
our craft belonged to that class, for they exhibit- 
ed neither fear nor surprise, merely turning their 
grave faces toward us and remaining otherwise 
motionless and silent as we glided by. 

I whispered to Bryonia and Nux to stand up 
and bow a greeting, which they proceeded to do 
with amusing and exaggerated dignity ; and then 
r told Nux to box my ears, which he did so 
promptly and in so lusty a manner that they 
rang for several minutes afterward. 

I had explained to my blacks at great length 
our reasons for undertaking this queer adventure, 
and what we expected them to do to carry out 
the farce and assist us in securing the treasure. 
I had even read to them the dead man^s diary, 


120 


The San Bias Country 

from beginning to end, so that they would know 
as much about the San Bias as we did. They 
were, as I have said, both clever and resourceful, 
besides being devoted to me personally; so that 
I felt justified in relying to a great extent upon 
their judgment in case of emergency. 

Should I need to give them any secret in- 
structions, I could do so in their own language, 
which they had taught me during the tedium of 
several long voyages, and which I prided myself 
upon speaking fairly well. It was the language 
of their own island of Tayakoo, for these were 
not properly Sulus but natives belonging to a 
distinct tribe of South Sea Islanders which owed 
allegiance to no other ruler than their own. 

Being aware that the king, and some others, 
of the San Bias knew English and Spanish, I 
could rely upon this almost unknown dialect to 
cover any secret instructions I wished to convey 
to my blacks. 

Nux and Bry were not linguists, however, 
and knew but a few Spanish words besides the 
imperfect English and their native tongue; but 
we arranged that they were to command me to 
121 


Sam Steele in Panama 


interpret in Spanish whenever it was necessary. 
Duncan Moit, unfortunately, knew nothing but 
English. 

The tributary that entered the river from the 
left side was a farther distance beyond the hills 
than the map seemed to indicate; but we came 
to it presently and began slowly to ascend it in 
a southerly direction, although it made many 
twists and turns. We found it easily navigable, 
with dense, forests on either side, and several 
times we found we were observed by silent groups 
of Indians on the bank, to all of whom Nux and 
Bry bowed greetings with tremendous con- 
descension and mock courtesy. The bows were 
never returned, however, and the Indians stood 
like statues until we had passed by. 

“There is no way of avoiding these people,” 
said Moit, “so I think our best policy will be to 
go directly to the king’s village, which I see 
marked upon the map, and make friends with 
him. Bryonia can explain our presence by say- 
ing he merely wishes to examine the San Bias 
country, and when once we have established 
friendly relations with these natives we can visit 


122 


The San Bias Country 

several different parts of their territory, to throw 
them off their guard, and finally reach the valley 
for which we are bound and secure the diamonds 
at our leisure.” 

‘‘That seems to me a capital plan,” I agreed, 
and we decided then and there to follow it as 
closely as circumstances would allow. 

After an hour’s cruise through the forest we 
came to the coastal plains, finding this a re- 
markably fertile country with fields under fine 
cultivation. As soon as we discovered a low 
bank on our left we turned the machine toward 
the shore, and when the wheels touched bottom 
they climbed the bank easily and we quickly 
found ourselves upon dry land. 

More Indians were observing us, and as we 
left the water and glided over the land I de- 
tected a look of amazement upon their faces that 
all their reserve could not control. Indeed, I 
was myself filled with wonder at the marvelous 
performances of Duncan Moit’s invention, so that 
small blame attaches to the San. Bias if their 
stoicism could not master their astonishment. 

We crossed the plain until we came upon a 
123 


Sam Steele in Panama 


pretty stream, which we took to be the one indi- 
cated upon the map, and from there followed 
its course eastward, making excellent time over 
the level meadows. We saw a few huts scattered 
along the way, and several herds of cattle and 
sheep, but no horses. The sheep seemed few to 
supply the wool for which these Indians were 
famous, but I imagined we would find larger 
flocks in the uplands. 

It was about five o’clock in the afternoon when 
we sighted a considerable village, which at once 
we determined must be the place we sought. 
Bowling along at an increased pace we soon 
reached the town, but to our surprise we found 
our way barred by solid files of Indians, all stand- 
ing with their arrows ready notched in their 
bowstrings. 

Moit stopped the engines and we came to a 
halt. Hitherto we had been allowed to go where 
we pleased since entering this strange land, but 
it seemed that our license was now at an end. 

Bry stood up in his seat, made a bow, and 
said in a loud voice: 


124 



“Any speak Englis’?” 






The San Bias Country 

‘‘Any speak Englis’ ? — America — ^United 

States?” 

In an instant we were surrounded by the 
stern-visaged natives, while one of them, a tall, 
powerful fellow and evidently a chief, stepped 
close to the machine and answered in a quiet 
voice : 

“I the English speak.” 

“Very good,” said Bry. “I am great chief 
of Tayakoo. My name is Honorable Bryonia. 
Here is my brother, also great chief of Tayakoo 
— he name Senator Nux. We come to visit the 
chiefs and great king of the San Bias. Then, 
say to me, oh, Chief, are we welcome? Are we 
all brothers?” 

I thought this was a very good introduction. 
But the chief glanced at me and at Moit, frown- 
ing darkly, and asked : 

“Who the white men? What bring them 
here ?” 

“You speak about our slaves? Bah! Have 
my brothers of San Bias, then, no slaves to do 
their work?” 

The chief considered a moment. 


125 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘‘Where you get white slaves ?” he questioned, 
suspiciously. 

“Stan' up, Dune!" said Bry, giving the in- 
ventor a vicious kick that made him howl. 
“Where we get you, heh?" 

He kicked him again, quite unnecessarily, I 
thought, and Moit stood up with a red and 
angry face and growled: 

“Stop that, you fool!" 

At this rebellion Nux promptly fetched him 
a blow behind the knees that sent him tumbling 
backward upon his seat, and when I laughed — 
for I could not help it — I got another ear- 
splitter that made me hold my head and be glad 
to keep silent. Moit evidently saw the force of 
our blacks' arguments, for he recovered his wits 
in time to avoid further blows. 

The exhibition had one good effect, anyway; 
it lulled any suspicions of the chief that the 
Honorable Bryonia and Senator Nux might not 
be the masters in our little party. Although 
Duncan Moit and I constantly encountered looks 
of bitter hatred, our men were thereafter treated 
with ample respect and consideration. 

126 


The San Bias Country 

“You welcome/' said the chief. “I Ogo — 
Capitan Ogo — green chief. You come to my 
house." 

He turned and marched away, and Moit 
started the machine and made it crawl after him. 

The other natives followed in a grave pro- 
cession, and so we entered the village and passed 
up its clean looking streets between rows of 
simple but comfortable huts to the further end. 
where we halted at the domicile of the “green 
chief." 


127 


CHAPTER IX 


FACING THE ENEMY 

‘'Capitan’’ Ogo made an impressive bow in 
the direction of his mud mansion and then an- 
other bow to Nux and Bry. 

“Come/’ he said. 

They accepted the invitation and climbed out 
of the machine. 

“Don’t be long, Nux,” I remarked, in the 
Tayakoo dialect. 

Instantly the chief swung around on his 
heel. 

“What does this mean?” he cried, speaking 
the same language. “Do you receive orders 
from your white slaves?” 

I stared at him open mouthed, but to my in- 
tense admiration neither Nux nor Bryonia 
exhibited the least surprise. 

“Orders?” asked Bry, quietly. “Do you 
blame us that the whites are fools, and speak 
128 


Facing the Enemy 

like fools? My brother has surely more wisdom 
than that. If you knew the white dogs, you 
would believe that their tongues are like the 
tongues of parrots.’’-' 

know them,” answered Ogo, grimly. Then 
he asked, abruptly : 

‘'Where did you learn the language of my 
people — the ancient speech of the Techlas?” 

‘Tt is my own language, the speech of my 
people of Tayakoo, whose chief I am.” 

They looked upon each other with evident 
curiosity, and I examined the two Indians, as 
they stood side by side, and wondered at their 
similar characteristics. Bryonia might easily be 
mistaken for a brother of the San Bias chief, so 
far as appearances went, and although Nux was 
of a different build there were many duplicates 
of him in the silent crowd surrounding us. 

“Where is Tayakoo?” asked Ogo. 

“Far to the south, in the Pacific ocean.” 

“What is the history of your people?” 

“I do not know.” 

“Are there many of you?” 

“But a few, inhabiting a small island.” 

129 


Sam Steele in Panama 


The chief seemed thoughtful. Then he 
turned again. 

“Come!’’ he commanded; and they followed 
him into his house. 

Duncan Moit was clearly puzzled by this 
conversation, carried on in a language unknown 
to him. 

“What is it all about, Sam ?” he enquired, in a 
low voice. 

“The Sulus and the San Bias speak the same 
language,” I replied. 

.“Anything wrong?” 

“No; our chances are better than ever, I 
guess.” 

Fifty pair of eyes were staring at us 
curiously; so we decided not to converse further 
at present. We stared in turn at the natives, 
who seemed not to object in the least. 

Without question the San Bias were the best 
looking Indians I have ever seen. They resembled 
somewhat the best of the North American tribes, 
but among them was a larger proportion of in- 
telligence and shrewdness. Their faces were 
frank and honest, their eyes large and expressive, 
130 


Facing the Enemy 

and they moved in a self-possessed and staid man- 
ner that indicated confidence in their own pow- 
ers and contempt for all enemies. 

Their costumes were exceedingly interesting. 
Men and women alike wore simple robes of finely 
woven, wool that were shaped somewhat like 
Greek tunics. The arms of the men were bare; 
the women had short flowing sleeves; and this 
was the only perceptible difference in the garb of 
the two sexes, except that most of the men wore 
sandals of bark, while the women and children 
were bare-footed. 

The tunic was their sole garment, and reached 
only to the knees, being belted at the waist. The 
women, I afterward learned, wove the cloth 
in their houses, as one of their daily occupations, 
and the body of the tunic was always white, with 
colored stripes worked in at the neck and around 
the bottom. 

These colors, which must have been vegetable 
dyes, were very brilliant in hue, including purple, 
orange, red, blue and yellow. Black was never 
used at all, and green was the color reserved for 
the nobles and the king. I noticed that the chief, 

131 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Ogo, had a narrow band of green on his robe, 
which explained his proudly proclaiming himself 
a “green” or royal chief. The bands of green 
we found varied in width according to the promi- 
nence of their wearers. 

One can easily imagine that the appearance of 
an automobile in this country, isolated as it was 
from all modern civilization, would be likely to 
inspire the natives with awe and wonder, if not 
with actual terror. Yet these queer people 
seemed merely curious, and tried to repress even 
their curiosity as much as possible. They knew 
nothing at all of mechanics, existing in the same 
simple fashion that their ancestors had done 
centuries before, plowing their land with sharp- 
ened sticks and using arrows and spears as their 
only weapons except for the long bronze knives 
that were so roughly fashioned as tO' be well-nigh 
ridiculous. The only way I can explain the 
stolid demeanor of these Indians is through their 
characteristic fearlessness and repression, which 
enabled them to accept any wonderful thing with- 
out displaying emotion. 

But they were interested, nevertheless. Their 
132 


Facing the Enemy 

eyes roved everywhere about the machine and 
only we, the accursed whites, were disregarded. 

After a half hour or so Nux and Bryonia 
came out of the house, accompanied by the chief. 
They had broken bread together and tasted a 
native liquor, so that they might now depend 
upon the friendship of their host unless he found 
that they had deceived him. This was a long 
stride in the right direction. But when they had 
asked to see the king they were told that his 
residence was several miles to the eastward, and 
that in the morning Ogo would escort them to 
the royal dwelling and introduce them to the 
mighty Nalig-Nad. 

Meantime Nux and Bry were given plain in- 
structions not to leave this village, and when 
they were invited to sleep in the chief’s house 
they were able to decline by asserting that they 
always lived in their magic travelling machine. 
This excuse had been prearranged by us, for we 
deemed it best not to separate or to leave the 
machine while we were in the enemy’s country. 

As soon as the blacks had re-entered the ma- 
chine they commanded me, in abusive language, 

133 


Sam Steele in Panama 


to prepare supper. Duncan at once got out our 
table, which was a folding contrivance he had 
arranged to set up in the center of the car, 
and then I got the alcohol stove from its locker 
and proceeded to light it. 

While I made coffee and set the table with 
the food we had brought, Nux and Bry lolled 
on their seats and divided the admiring glances 
of the surrounding villagers with the (to them) 
novel preparations I was making for the repast. 
Then the Sulus sat at the table and I waited 
upon them with comical deference, Moit being 
unable to force himself to take part in the farce. 
Afterward we ate our own suppers and I for 
one relished it more than I usually did. In my 
boyish fashion I regarded it all as a great lark, 
and enjoyed the humor of the situation. 

As it was growing dark I now lighted our 
lamps while the inventor drew the sections of 
the glass dome into place and fastened them to- 
gether. 

We could still be observed by those without, 
for although the top was provided with curtains 
we did not draw them. But now we were able 


134 


Facing the Enemy 

to converse without being overheard, and Nux 
and Bry, appearing to be talking with each other, 
related all that had transpired in the chief's house, 
while we commented upon it and our good for- 
tune up to the present time. 

‘‘After we have visited the king, and made 
friends with him, we shall be able to go wher- 
ever we please," I prophesied ; “and then it won't 
take us long to get the diamonds and make tracks 
back to the wreck again." 

To this all were agreed. Then Duncan re- 
marked, musingly: 

“It is strange you two Indian nations, so far 
removed, speak the same language." 

“True 'nough. Mars' Moit," replied Bry. 
“But I 'spect our folks come from de same coun- 
try dese San Bias did, an' dat 'counts fo' it." 

“This fact ought to help us with them," 
said I. 

“Sure t'ing. Mars' Sam," Nux responded. 
“Dey knows now we just as good as dey is — 
an' we know we's better." 

As we were tired with our day's excursion 
we soon removed the table and spread our blan- 

135 


Sam Steele in Panama 

kets Upon the roomy floor of the car. Then, 
with a courtesy we had not anticipated, the crowd 
of observers melted silently away, and by the 
time we were ready to put out the lights and 
draw the curtains we were alone in the village 
street, where not a sound broke the stillness. 


% 


136' 


CHAPTER X 


NALIG-NAD 

We slept nicely in our rather confined quar- 
ters, and at daybreak Bryonia arose and pre- 
pared breakfast while the curtains were still 
drawn. But as soon as he and Nux had cleared 
away the things we let down the top and ap- 
peared in our open car again, to find that the 
chief had waited so long outside that he was 
inclined to be in a bad humor. 

The rabble did not come near to us this 
morning, however. Perhaps the chief thought 
their intent observation undignified, and had 
ordered them to keep away. But behind Ogo 
stood ten tall warriors who had been selected as 
our escort, or body-guard. 

When we signified we were ready for the 
journey these formed a line of march — three in 
front, three behind, and two on either side. All 
were armed with stout spears, and each bore a 

137 


Sam Steele in Panama 


bow and a quiver of bronze-tipped arrows, as 
well as a knife stuck into his girdle. When we 
started the chief brought up the rear of the pro- 
cession, so that he could keep an eye on us. 

Duncan Moit resented the necessity of run- 
ning his machine at a slow pace, but when he 
started it at an ordinary walk he soon found that 
the Indians were accustomed to swing along at a 
much swifter rate. So he gradually increased 
our speed, and it was comical to see the solemn 
visaged warriors trying to keep up with us with- 
out running. 

Finally, however, they broke into an easy 
trot, which they maintained for a long time with- 
out seeming to tire. I made Moit slow down 
after a while, for I did not wish to provoke the 
San Bias at present, and thought it wiser to show 
them some slight consideration. 

The plains we were now crossing were re- 
markably rich and fertile, and we passed many 
farms where men were cultivating the soil by 
dragging sharpened sticks over the surface. In 
other places were fields of grain ready for the 
harvest, and Nux questioned the chief and 

138 


Nalig-Nad 

learned that the climate was so uniform the year 
around that several crops could be grown in 
rapid succession. They used no beasts of burden, 
but performed all the labor with their own mus- 
cles, which in a measure accounted for their 
powerful racial physique. There were no roads 
leading from one place to another; merely paths 
over the meadows to indicate the lines of travel. 

The houses were formed partly of logs and 
partly of clay baked in the sun. They were 
simple and somewhat rude in construction, but 
appeared to be quite clean and comfortable. So 
far we had seen little evidence of luxury or re- 
finement. 

It was nearly noon when we approached a 
circular enclosure which proved to be a stockade 
of clay held together with brushwood until the 
sun had hardened it to brick. There was an 
arched opening in this wall, and Moit obeyed a 
signal from Ogo and headed toward it. 

Entering the enclosure we found a large, 
rambling dwelling in the center and a row of 
smaller houses circling the inner side of the wall. 
A large space was thus left around the central 

139 


Sam Steele in Panama 


building, which we naturally concluded to be 
the king’s palace. 

1 The doorways and windows (the latter being 
unglazed apertures) of the smaller huts were 
filled with attentive faces of women and children, 
but not a sound broke the silence to which these 
natives seemed to be trained. Except on extraor- 
dinary occasions the San Bias did not chatter; 
they only spoke when they were required to say 
something of meaning. 

The chief directed us to halt before a small 
door of the palace. 

‘'Get out,” he commanded, in the native 
tongue, “and follow me to the presence of our 
ruler, the mighty Nalig-Nad.” 

Bryonia and Nux at once obeyed, but the 
chief motioned to us to come also. We hesi- 
tated, and Bry said: 

“One of our slaves must remain in the ma- 
chine, to care for it. The other may accompany 
us.” 

“Both must come !” returned the chief, 
sternly. 

“What ! do you give me orders — do you com- 
140 


Nalig-Nad 

mand the Honorable Bryonia, King of Taya- 
koo?” demanded our black, drawing himself up 
proudly and frowning upon Ogo. 

‘The king shall decide,’' returned the chief. 
‘‘Come!” 

[J followed them in and Duncan remained 
with the machine. We passed through a hall- 
way and came upon a central courtyard, built in 
the Spanish style. Here, upon a rude bench, sat 
an old warrior with a deeply lined face and long 
locks sprinkled with gray. His eyes were large 
and black and so piercing in their gaze that they 
seemed to probe one through and through, yet 
the expression of the man’s countenance was just 
now gentle and unassuming. 

He had neither the stern nor the fierce look 
we had remarked in so many of the San Bias, but 
one might well hesitate to deceive the owner of 
that square chin and eagle-like glance. 

The king wore a white robe with seven broad 
stripes of green woven into its texture, and on 
his knees' were seated two children, a curly- 
headed little maid of about ten years and a calm 
faced boy of five. His surroundings were ex- 

141 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ceedingly simple, and the only others present were 
a group of warriors squatting in a far corner. 

‘Well, you are here at last,’^ said Nalig-Nad, 
looking at us over the heads of the children as 
we ranged ourselves before him and bowed with 
proper deference. “Which is your leader 

“My friend, the Senator Nux, and I, the 
Honorable Bryonia, are alike kings and rulers in 
our own country,’^ was the reply. “But my 
friend is modest, and at his request I will speak 
for us both.’’ 

“Good!” ejaculated Nalig-Nad. “Sit down, 
my brothers; kings must not stand in my pres- 
ence.” 

They sat upon a bench, and Nux, thinking 
this the right time to be impressive, got out a 
big cigar and lighted it, having offered another to 
the king, who promptly refused it. 

“Why are you here to honor me with your 
presence?” was the next question, quietly put. 

“In our magic travelling machine we are 
making a trip around the world,” began Bryonia, 
in a bombastic tone. They were speaking in the 
native dialect, which I clearly understood; and I 
142 


Nalig-Nad 

must say that my men expressed themselves much 
better in that than they did in English. 

The king took a bit of green chalk from his 
pocket and made a mark upon the bench beside 
him. 

* Where did you get your white slaves P’Mie 
enquired. 

‘‘They were shipwrecked upon the island 
which we rule, and we made them our slaves,’* 
said Bry. 

The king made a second chalk mark. 

“And where did you get the magic machine 
for travelling upon both land and water?” It 
was evident he had been well informed of our 
movements. 

“It was made for us by a wizard of our is- 
land,” said Bry. 

“What island?” 

“Tayakoo.” 

A third chalk mark. 

“Does it belong to you?” 

“Yes.” 

Another mark. 

“And now,” said the king, looking at them 

143 


Sam Steele in Panama 

curiously, ‘^tell me what request you have to 
make.” 

‘"A request ?” 

‘^Yes; you asked to see the King of the San 
Bias. Then you wish something. I am the 
King.” 

Bryonia hesitated. 

“We wish to see all things,” said he, slowly, 
“and so we crave permission to visit the dif- 
ferent parts of your country, that we may ob- 
serve what it is like.” 

“Just as a matter of curiosity?” 

“Of course, my brother.” 

A chalk mark. 

“Do you love gold ?” asked the king, 
abruptly. 

“No, we do not care for gold.” 

“Not at all?” 

“Not in the least.” 

The chalk mark again. 

“Nor the white pebbles?” looking at them 
shrewdly. 

“We care for no pebbles at all, white or 
black,” asserted Bry, beginning to grow uneasy. 

144 


Nalig- Nad 

The king made another mark, and then 
slowly counted them. 

'‘Seven lies !” he announced, shaking his head 
gravely. “My brother is not honest with me. 
Otherwise there would be no lies.’^ 

Nux put the wrong end of the cigar in his 
mouth, and begun to splutter and make faces. 
Bryonia looked at the king, stern and indignant. 

“Do you judge us by the whites?” he cried. 

“No; I have found that the whites are quick 
to acknowledge their love of gold.” 

“If you were in my country,” said Bry, 
proudly, “I would not insult my brother king.” 

“What would you do if I lied to you?” asked 
Nalig-Nad, quickly. 

“You would not lie,” declared Bry. “Kings 
do not lie to each other — unless they are white.” 

I wanted to yell “bravo!” the retort was so 
cleverly put. The king seemed pleased, and be- 
came thoughtful, stroking the little boy’s hair 
gently while the girl rested her pretty head 
against his broad bosom. 

“The Techlas have reason to hate the whites,” 
he said, with a keen glance at me. “They drove 

145 


Sam Steele in Panama 


US from our old home, because they wanted to 
rob us of our gold, which we loved only because 
it was beautiful. They were cruel and unjust, 
and lied to us, and had no faith nor honesty. So 
we fled; but we swore to hate them forever, and 
to be cruel and unjust to them, in turn, whenever 
they fell into our hands. 

‘T do not blame your people,” declared Bry, 
stoutly. 

“Tell me, then, why do you of Tayakoo hate 
them, and make them your slaves?” 

“Why?” 

“Yes; had you gold?” 

“No.” 

“Nor white pebbles?” 

“No.” 

“Then why do you hate them?” 

“Because they are dangerous and wicked. 
They come in ships to our island and try to make 
us slaves. We fight them and drive them away, 
but they take some of my people and lash them 
with whips, and make them work like beasts. 
Also some of the whites we capture — such as 
these we now have with us — and then we love 
146 


Nalig-Nad 

to force them to do our bidding. Never has 
there been friendship between the white men and 
the men of Tayakoo.’’ 

He spoke very earnestly, and I knew he was 
telling the truth, in the main, for I had heard the 
same thing before. It was only because Uncle 
Naboth had saved the lives of these two blacks 
and been kind to them that they came to love 
us and to abandon the fierce hatred for the whites 
that had been a part of their training from youth 
up. 

“I will buy your white slaves,” said the king, 
coolly, ‘^and then you may go where you will in 
my kingdom.” 

‘‘We will not part with them. They must 
work for us and make our machine go.” 

“If it is magic, it does not need slaves to 
make it go,” observed the king, with a smile. 

“Would you deprive your brother kings of 
their only followers?” 

“I will give you as many negroes as you re- 
quire, in place of them.” 

“We cannot spare them. These white dogs 
know our ways, and serve us well.” 

147 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘Then I will take but one, and leave you the 
other/’ 

Bry shook his head. 

“Whatever else we possess, except our won- 
derful travelling machine, we will freely give 
to our brother,” said he. “But even Nalig-Nad 
has no right to demand our slaves, and we shall 
keep them.” 

The king seemed disappointed. After a 
moment’s pause, 

“Think of it,” he said; “and meantime make 
my home your home. We will talk of these 
matters again.” 

He waved his hand in dismissal and turned 
to caress the children. 

Ogo the chief said, sternly: “Come!” but 
Bry stood still. 

“Have we the king’s permission to visit his 
dominions in our machine, while we are his 
guests?” he asked. 

“Not yet,” replied Nalig-Nad, with the first 
touch of impatience he had shown ; “we will talk 
again before you leave my village.” 


148 


Nalig-Nad 

'That does not sound friendly/’ retorted 
Bryonia, frowning. 

“Have you done anything to forfeit my 
friendship?” enquired the king, turning a swift 
glance upon the speaker. “Be content. Only 
in the king’s village should the brothers and 
guests of the king remain in peace and comfort. 
My people shall be your servants, and you may 
command them as you will; but you must not go 
outside the wall.” 

We did not like this, and stood a moment 
silent. 

“Seems to me. King Honorable Bryonia,” 
said Nux, speaking for the first time during the 
interview and addressing his friend point blank, 
as if the king’s presence was immaterial; “seems 
to me this new brother. King Nalig-Nad, is not 
a bad fellow. I like him because he is kind to 
little children, and I am sorry for him because he 
is not better informed. But what can you ex- 
pect, when he stays in this one-horse place and 
knows nothing of the great world that bows at 
our feet? If he dares oppose your will, re- 
member how poor and ignorant he is, and for- 
149 


Sam Steele in Panama 

give him. I know what you are thinking, great 
King Honorable Bryonia, but I beg you not to 
destroy Nalig-Nad yet, or to explode his people 
with the terrible power you possess. Let us be 
patient. Permit this king to live on, for a short 
time, anyway. What a shame to ruin this happy 
home ! Be patient, my mighty brother, and soon 
this foolish Nalig-Nad will have wisdom, and 
willingly grant all that you desire.” 

Having delivered himself of this speech, Nux 
puffed his cigar again and looked at the king with 
a face expressive of great sympathy and concern. 

Both Bry and I were fairly astounded. We 
had not expected Nux to take part in the dis- 
cussion, and the pleading tone he had adopted 
was as good a bit of acting as Bryonia had yet 
exhibited. It impressed the king even more than 
Bryonia’s dignified assurances, although at first 
I trembled at the folly of threatening so clever 
and powerful a man as Nalig-Nad. After all, 
he was merely a savage, and more liable to sus- 
pect us of unknown powers than of unsupported 
audacity. 

We soon discovered that Nux had grasped the 

150 


Nalig-Nad 

situation more clearly than we had. The ruler 
of the San Bias was used to trickery and cunning 
and had trained himself to search for hidden 
reasons in all his dealings with outsiders. The 
suggestion that the owners of the strange trav- 
elling machine, who had so boldly invaded his 
country, had the intention and power of ‘^ex- 
ploding” himself and all his people struck him 
as more reasonable than anything he had yet 
heard. He was visibly worried, and looked half 
fearfully at the stern and impassive countenance 
of the tall South Sea Islander who stood before 
him. 

‘We will break bread,^’ he said, with quick 
decision. “Send away your slave, my brothers, 
and come with me.” 

“Go,” said Bry, turning to me. “And go 
you, also. Chief Ogo,” he added, imperatively; 
“we would be alone with the king.” 

The chief looked uneasily toward Nalig-Nad, 
who had set the children down and allowed them 
to run into the house. Noting the look, the king 
bowed his head to affirm Bry’s command. He 


Sam Steele in Panama 


might with reason fear his strange guests, but he 
was no coward. 

I left the courtyard, followed by Ogo, and re- 
turned to where the automobile was standing. 


CHAPTER XI 


PRINCESS ILALAH 

Leaning over the side of the machine, her 
chin resting upon her hands at the edge of the 
car, was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. 
Her form was tall and slender, her features 
exquisitely regular in contour and her eyes deep 
brown and soft as velvet. Her fleecy white tunic 
was without color save a broad band of green 
that formed a zigzag pattern around its edge, and 
in her dark hair was twined a wreath of white 
blossoms with delicate green leaves. 

I noticed that her skin was almost white in 
the sunshine, the bronze hue being so soft as to 
be scarcely observable. She had not the same 
expression of sadness that seemed an inherited 
characteristic of her people, but gazed upward 
with a faint smile that showed her dainty white 
teeth, full at the face of Duncan Moit. When I 
appeared upon the scene the inventor was sitting 

153 


Sam Steele in Panama 


on the side of the car opposite the girl and re- 
turning her frank regard with a look of wonder 
and admiration. 

A little back stood a silent group of young 
women, whose demeanor indicated that they were 
the girl’s attendants. Their eyes, I noticed, 
roved over the strange machine with eager 
curiosity. 

Chief Ogo uttered an exclamation of im- 
patience and strode quickly forward. 

‘‘This is no place for you, my Princess!” he 
said, addressing the girl. “You must retire at 
once to your rooms.” 

She turned her head without altering her 
position and said in a calm, sweet tone: 

“Does my lord Ogo command Ilalah, then?” 

“When the king is not present it is my duty 
to guard his women,” he returned, brusquely. 

With a contemptuous shrug as her only reply 
she looked toward Duncan again, and as if con- 
tinuing a conversation already begun, she said to 
him in soft but awkward English: 

“And shall it fly like a bird, too?” 


154 


Princess Ilalali 

‘‘It can almost fly, but not quite, miss,” he 
answered. 

“But it swims like a fish?” 

“Yes, miss.” 

“And runs like a deer?” 

“Exactly, miss.” 

“It would be to please me if it did that,” she 
remarked, very gently. 

Duncan was puzzled for a moment; then his 
face brightened, and he said eagerly: 

“If you will get in, I will take you to ride — 
you and three of your women.” 

She did not hesitate at all, but turned and 
called three of the young women by name, who 
came at once to her side. 

Ogo the chief, who could not follow very well 
the English words, was scowling fiercely, but had 
kept at a respectful distance since the girl had 
repulsed him. Enjoying his discomfiture, I 
promptly opened the door of the car and mo- 
tioned the princess to enter. She ascended the 
steps lightly and I pushed her attendants after 
her, for I scented a lark and wanted to prevent 
Ogo from interfering. 


155 


Sam Steele in Panama 


I could see he was uncertain how to act, and 
the other bystanders were equally undecided. But 
no sooner had I jumped in after the women than 
Moit threw over the lever and started the en- 
gines, so promptly that the machine leaped for- 
ward with a bound. 

We circled the king’s palace three times, while 
the dainty princess clung to the back of her seat 
and laughed delightedly and her women huddled 
together in abject terror. Every inhabitant 
flocked to the doors and windows to see us, nor 
could the natives control their amazement at our 
rapid flight. 

Then Duncan headed for the arched opening 
in the wall, and ignoring Ogo’s wild shout to 
halt darted through and out upon the plains. The 
chief instantly notched an arrow, but the princess 
sprang to her feet and faced him from the rear 
of the car, so that he dared not shoot for fear 
of wounding her. 

Another moment and we were out of range; 
and now Duncan, inspired by a natural desire to 
show his fair passenger what his invention could 
do, increased the speed until the wind whistled 

156 


Princess Ilalah 


past our ears and our eyes were not quick 
enough to note the objects we passed. 

I own that, being myself a sailor, I was a 
little frightened at this terrific dash; but Ilalah 
laughed gleefully and cast a slim brown arm 
around Duncan’s neck to steady herself as she 
gazed straight ahead and enjoyed to the full the 
excitement of the wild ride. 

There was no real danger, however. The 
meadows were as smooth as any highway, and 
in an incredibly short period of time we were al- 
most out of sight of the village. 

The thought now came to me that it would 
not be wise for us to offend Nalig-Nad by carry- 
ing our prank too far, so I called to Duncan to 
return. Rather reluctantly, I imagined, he de- 
scribed a great circle and headed at last for the 
village, never abating his speed, however, until 
we had flown through the arch and narrowly es- 
caped knocking over a dozen or so of the throng 
assembled in the enclosure. 

Around the king’s palace we again sped, so 
as not to slacken our pace too abruptly, and then 
the inventor brought his wonderful machine to a 

157 


Sam Steele in Panama 


halt in almost the same spot from whence we 
had started. 

We now observed Nalig-Nad standing at the 
entrance to his dwelling with Nux and Bryonia 
on either side of him. Now that he stood up- 
right I saw that he towered far above all his 
people, and was moreover straight as a gun- 
barrel. 

As soon as we halted I opened the door and 
assisted the frightened attendants to reach the 
ground. Duncan, however, sprang out and gave 
his hand to Ilalah, who needed no such support. 
Her cheeks glowed pink through their rich tint- 
ing, her eyes sparkled brightly and there could 
be no question of her delight in her recent novel 
experience. 

As soon as her feet touched the ground she 
ran to the king and seized his arm affectionately, 
crying aloud in her native tongue: 

‘‘Oh, my father, it is a miracle! The white 
man’s wagon is alive, and more fleet than an 
arrow.” 

“It is not the white man’s wagon,” said Bry, 
quickly. “It is our wagon — the wagon of kings 

158 


Princess Ilalah 

— and the white man is a slave whose duty it is 
to make it go.” 

‘‘A slave? Oh, I am sorry!” said Ilalah, with 
disappointment. 

‘‘Why?” asked her father, putting an arm 
around her. 

“Because the white man is beautiful as a 
spirit, and he is good and kind,” answered the 
princess. 

I glanced at the unconscious Duncan and 
nearly laughed outright. That the thin-faced, 
stooping, dreamy-eyed inventor could by any 
stretch of the imagination be called beautiful was 
as strange as it was amusing. But the girl was 
doubtless in earnest, and being so rarely beautiful 
herself she ought to be a judge. 

The king was plainly annoyed at this frank 
praise of a hated white. He presented his 
daughter, with much cermony, to Nux and 
Bryonia, and she touched their foreheads lightly 
with her finger-tips, and then her own brow, in 
token of friendship. 

“Will your Majesty take a ride in our magic 


159 


Sam Steele in Panama 


travelling machine?” asked Bry, with proud con- 
descension. > 

“Not now,” said the king, drawing back 
thoughtfully. 

Presently he walked close to the machine and 
eyed every part of it with great intentness. But 
it was clear the thing puzzled him, as well it 
might, and he shook his grizzled head as if he 
despaired of solving the problem. 

Then he escorted the blacks around his vil- 
lage, showing them the various huts and store- 
houses for fruits and grain; and while they were 
thus occupied the princess came nearer and leaned 
again upon the side of the car, Moit and I being 
seated within it. 

“If you are slaves,” she said, in a low voice, 
“I will befriend you. Do not fear, but call on 
Ilalah if you meet trouble or enemies threaten 
you.” 

“Thank you, sweet Princess,” replied Duncan. 
“We may be slaves at present, but soon we shall 
be free. We fear no danger.” 

She nodded, brightly, as if the answer re- 
assured her, and walked away to enter the palace, 
i6o 


Princess Ilalah 

her train of attendants following at a respectful 
distance. 

Ogo and his villagers stood several paces 
away, silent and motionless. When the king re- 
turned with his ‘"noble” guests he noticed the 
chief and at once dismissed him, telling him to 
return to his village and be vigilant until the 
visitors had departed from their dominions. 

Ogo promptly departed, but not without a 
final glance of hatred at the inventor and me. 
Then the king, with many expressions of friend- 
ship, retired into his palace, and Bry and Nux 
were again permitted to join us. 

“Let us put up the top,” said I, “so that we 
may talk without being overheard.” 

We drew up the sections of the glass dome 
and fastened them in place, while the natives 
looked on with renewed curiosity. Then, quite 
alone although we could see anything that hap- 
pened around us, we sat at our ease and canvassed 
the situation. 

“If you fellows had been with us,” said Moit, 
“I would have run away with the princess and 


i6i 


Sam Steele in Panama 


held her as hostage to secure our safe return to 
the ship.” 

‘Would you have let her go then?” I en- 
quired, mischievously. 

He did not deign to reply. 

“We could not abandon Bry and Nux, 
though,” I continued, more seriously, “so there 
is nothing to regret.” 

Bry seemed very thoughtful. 

“We in bad box. Mars’ Sam,” he said in his 
broken English, which contrasted so strongly 
with the ease with which he expressed himself in 
his own tongue ; “dat king is old fox, sure ’nough, 
an’ won’t let us go ’way from here to get de 
di’monds.” 

“He seemed to treat you and Nux very po- 
litely, I thought.” 

“All seem. Mars’ Sam; no be.” 

“But isn’t he friendly? Didn’t he break 
bread with you?” 

“Dat don’t ’mount to nuffin, seh. If a friend 
lie to him, he frien’ship is broke.” 

“Well, Bry; what then?” 

“He know I lie to him.” 

162 


Princess Ilalah 


‘^What makes you think so?’* 

‘‘He make de chalk mark.” 

“But how could he know you were lying?” 

“His people see our wreck ship, when we not 
see dem. Dey see from de trees me cook de 
breakfas’ an’ Nux wait on de white folks. Dey 
see Mars’ Dune put de machine in de ribber, an’ 
we-all ride away on it. Ev’yt’ing de king know 
befo’ we come an’ lie to him. He know we fin’ 
de body in de canoe, an’ bury dead man in ribber. 
He know dead man wanted di’monds, so he kill 
him. He think we want di’monds, too; so he 
kill us if he can.” 

This was indeed a gloomy prophecy. I had 
no doubt my man had put the exact -truth clearly 
before us. Our folly in imagining we could so 
easily deceive these clever Indians was all too 
evident. 

“I noticed that Nalig-Nad seemed suspicious 
and unbelieving,” I remarked, after a period of 
silence during which we sat staring despondently 
into one another’s faces. “He was telling him- 
self all the time, perhaps, that we were fools, and 
he had us in his power. Only once was he at all 
163 


Sam Steele in Panama 


disturbed, and that was when Nux threatened to 
‘explode’ him and his people. He is not quite 
'sure that we cannot do that.” 

“Nor am I,” said Duncan Moit, musingly. 

“But they must know about fire-arms, and 
Maurice Kleppisch wrote in his book that they 
despised them,” I observed. 

“Fire-arms do not explode people. I did not 
refer to them,” Moit returned. “But, tell me: 
if these natives are aware of our imposture, what 
is the use of keeping up the game? Let us get 
hold of the girl, make a dash for the diamonds, 
and then escape the best way we can.” 

“The girl !” I exclaimed, as if surprised ; “why 
should you want the girl when, as you say, we 
defy the natives and no hostage will be required ?” 

Moit looked confused. 

“She knows the country,” he said, after a 
moment, “and would make a good guide.” Then 
he glanced up at me and added, more honestly: 
“She’s very nice and pretty, Sam.”‘ 

“She’s a darling, old man; I agree with you 
there. But it strikes me that to capture the prin- 
cess and run away with her would be to stir 
164 


Princess Ilalah 


Up no end of a rumpus. We cannot run the ma- 
cine through the tangled forests, so the only way 
to get back is by the river — the same way we 
came. The king could assemble a thousand war- 
riors to oppose us, and the chances are he’d win 
out.” 

“Well, what shall we do?” he asked; “fight it 
out?” 

“Of course.” 

“Got to fight, anyhow,” remarked Nux, phil- 
osophically. 

“And we may as well keep up the fable of 
our being slaves to Nux and Bry,” I added. 
“They may know a good deal by observation, 
but the chances are they have guessed at a lot ; so 
as long as we pretend to be two black kings and 
two white slaves they haven’t any good excuse 
for attacking us.” 

During the afternoon several chiefs arrived 
at the village, coming in one by one as if from 
different parts of the country. All had more or 
less green in their robes, and they were a lot of 
remarkably shrewd and imposing looking fel- 
lows. We decided that they had been summoned 

165 


Sam Steele in Panama 


by the king to a conference concerning us, for 
after pausing in the enclosure to take accurate 
note of our appearance and study the queer ma- 
chine in which we were seated, they passed on 
into the royal dwelling. 

Toward evening we prepared our supper, 
while many of the inhabitants came to watch us 
through our glass case. Presently some one 
rapped softly upon the glass, and going to the 
place I saw a woman standing there and holding 
out a basket made of rushes. I opened a win- 
dow near and took in the basket. 

‘Tlalah sends it to the big white slave,” said 
the woman, in her native dialect. 

‘‘The big white slave thanks Ilalah and sends 
her his love in return,” I answered, laughing. 
But she nodded and turned away with a serious 
countenance, as if the message was no more than 
she had expected. 

I handed the basket to Duncan and gave him 
the message of the princess. His face lighted up 
and he blushed like a school-boy, but made no 
comment. 

In the basket were some fresh eggs and a 
1 66 


Princess Ilalah 


roasted fowl that resembled a pheasant in size 
and flavor. We cooked the eggs over our alcohol 
stove and blessed the girl for her thoughtfulness, 
for her contribution was a grateful addition to 
our tinned foods. 

As darkness came on we lighted our lamps 
and drew our curtains and after a little further 
discussion as to our future actions we lay down 
upon our blankets and prepared to pass a second 
peaceful night in the heart of the enemy’s 
country. 

It must have been about midnight when I was 
awakened by a strange crackling sound. For a 
moment I lay still, wondering what it could be; 
then I sprang up and opened one of the little 
windows. 

Dense smoke was rising all around the auto- 
mobile, and thrusting out my head I saw a mass 
of flames underneath us. I drew back quickly, 
my eyes smarting from the smoke, and closed 
the orifice. 

The interior of the car was now dimly illu- 
mined by a dull red glow. Moit was sitting up 
when I reached out to touch him. 

167 


Sam Steele in Panama 


“What is it?” he asked sleepily. 

“They have built a great bonfire underneath 
us,” I answered. “Will it be likely to do any 
damage ?” 

He shook his head. 

“All the harm it could possibly do would be 
to melt the rubber of the tires, and as they are 
vulcanized I do not believe any open fire would 
be powerful enough,” he said. “But it may get 
rather close and warm for us to sleep, so we will 
move on a bit.” 

He reached for the lever and the machine 
started and slowly moved over the blazing logs, 
bouncing us around somewhat but creating no 
other discomfort. By raising the curtain in front 
Duncan could see when we were at a safe dis- 
tance from the fire, so he stopped about twenty 
yards away and we prepared to lie down again. 

“Some one ought to stand watch,” said the 
inventor; “for if we are sound asleep while they 
are wide awake they may get into more danger- 
ous mischief than building bonfires.” 

We cheerfully agreed to so necessary a pre- 
caution, and I was glad to find myself selected 

i68 


Princess Ilalah 


for the first watch, because by that time I had 
become as wakeful as an owl. When the others 
returned to their blankets I settled myself com- 
fortably on a seat and listened intently for the 
slightest sound that might indicate danger. 

Presently I heard another crackling, from 
which it appeared that our unseen foes had 
dragged the blazing logs toward us and were 
making another effort to burn our stout metal car. 
So I aroused Duncan, and this time we moved 
around to the other side of the enclosure, halting 
close to a wing of the king’s house. For while 
the car itself could not burn, a good bed of coals 
under us would convert it into a frying-pan, and 
we had no mind to sizzle and brown for the en- 
tertainment of the San Bias. 

Perhaps it was a fear of setting the royal pal- 
ace on fire that deterred our enemies from annoy- 
ing us further; for after this second move we 
were not molested and my comrades were al- 
lowed to finish their sleep in comfort. 


169 


CHAPTER XII 


WAR IS DECLARED 

Next morning we made an unpleasant discov- 
ery. 

When we brought the automobile around to 
the front of the house again we found that dur- 
ing the night the natives had bricked up the en- 
trance arch to a height of some four feet above 
the ground, using blocks of baked clay cemented 
together with some preparation that we were not 
familiar with. 

This action was intended to imprison the 
automobile within the wall and prevent our run- 
ning out on another excursion, as we had the day 
before. 

At first sight it appeared that the device was 
successful. A small hut had been torn down to 
provide the material, and the blocks were thick 
and hard as rock. 


170 


War is Declared 


Duncan frowned as he looked at the barrier, 
and remarked: 

‘^Then it is to be war.” 

“I knew that last night,” said I, “when they 
tried to smoke us out or burn us up.” 

“Let us give them a good volley from our 
revolvers,” he suggested, angrily. 

“Don’ do dat, seh,” said Bry, earnestly. 
“Wait first till dey shoot arrows. We make 
b’lieve we frien’s as long as we can. It gives us 
time to think what we do.” 

“Evidently,” said I, “the council of chiefs has 
advised the king to make short work of us. We 
have probably been condemned already, and all 
that now holds them in check is their uncertainty 
of the best way to vanquish us.” 

“They are a little awed by our wonderful 
powers, I am sure,” declared Moit. 

“Quite probable,” I replied. “Is there any 
way to get over that wall, Duncan ?” 

He did not answer at once, but looked reflec- 
tively at the archway. 

“We can leave this place tomorrow morning,” 
said he, finally; ''but I do not see how we can 


Sam Steele in Panama 


accomplish the feat before then. Do you imag- 
ine we can hold the natives at bay another day?’^ 

‘‘We can try,” I said as cheerfully as I could. 

But the prospect was not an enticing one, 
and I began to bitterly regret our folly in ever 
entering a place wherein we could be so easily 
imprisoned. 

“If we get out,” said Nux, “then we mus’ 
fight our way all time. If we bold an’ quick, we 
get away all right.” 

Nux didn’t speak often, but his judgment was 
pretty good. 

“I want those diamonds,” I said; “and I’m 
going to have them. If we go back empty- 
handed we have made a failure of the expedi- 
tion.” 

“To let a lot of ignorant natives triumph over 
the greatest invention of the century is absurd — 
it’s fairly criminal !” added Moit. “I’m not 
afraid to tackle the whole San Bias nation in this 
car.” 

“Too bad you didn’t make it a man-o’-war,” 
said I, with a laugh. “If we had a gattling gun 
aboard we’d have everything our own way.” 

172 


War is Declared 


We raised the curtains, and while Bry openly 
got the breakfast ready I took careful note of 
our surroundings. 

Some twenty warriors, armed with spears and 
bows, were in sight, lounging in doorways or 
leaning silently against the various buildings. 
They were watching us closely, no doubt; but 
there was no open attempt to attack us as yet. 

After a brief conference we decided not to put 
down the top again, as the San Bias might take a 
notion to shoot at any time, and their arrows, 
while they might not penetrate the netted glass of 
the dome, might mow us down quickly if we 
were exposed to them. 

But I did not like to acknowledge that we 
were afraid, either; so I let down the steps and 
opened the rear door, and Bry and Nux and my- 
self all descended to the ground and grouped our- 
selves carelessly near the car, leaving Moit alone 
in the machine. 

As soon as we appeared the natives began to 
come nearer, in a curious observant crowd. 
Then one who was doubtless a chief came for- 
ward and said that the King Nalig-Nad desired 

173 


Sam Steele in Panama 

his brother kings to attend him at once in his 
palace. 

*'ln our country,” answered Bry, gravely, “it 
is the custom when kings meet to honor each 
other in turn. Yesterday we waited upon Nalig- 
Nad ; today he must wait upon us.” 

“But he is the great King of the Techlas!” 
protested the other, as if amazed that the com- 
mand could be disregarded. 

“And we are the mighty Kings of Tayakoo, 
which numbers more people than the leaves of 
the forest,” replied Bry, drawing himself up 
proudly and frowning upon the other. “Take 
your master our answer, slave !” 

The fellow obeyed; but the king was in no 
hurry to come. 

His daughter arrived, though, fresh and beau- 
tiful as a rose in bloom, and the natives made 
way for her as she pressed through the group. 

“A greeting to my friends !” she said in Eng- 
lish, and peered into the car in search of Duncan 
Moit. 

“Enter, Princess,” said I, holding open the 
door. 


174 


War is Declared 


She accepted the invitation frankly, and Dun- 
can took her hand and pressed it to his lips as an 
old time courtier would have done. She was 
very sweet and lovely, this Indian maiden, and I 
did not blame the inventor for worshipping her 
as he evidently did. 

‘‘You cannot today with me run away,” she 
said, laughing and pointing a slender finger at 
the barricade. 

“You are wrong, Ilalah,” answered Moit, 
smiling into her fair face. “When I wish to go 
the walls cannot stop me. But we would like 
to stay another day in your village.” 

She became serious at this. Thinking some- 
one in the crowd might understand the English 
language as well as she did, I motioned to Nux 
and Bry to enter the car, and I followed them and 
closed the door. 

“Listen, then,” she said, seeming to be glad 
of the seclusion. “ The king, who is my father, 
is angry because you have told lies to him. There 
was a council of the chiefs last night. The white 
men are to be captured and shot with arrows. 
The magic machine that is a bird and a fish 

175 


Sam Steele in Panama 


will be destroyed, and the two black kings may 
then go free because they speak in our tongue, 
and are therefore brothers.’’ 

“That is pleasant news,” said Duncan. 
“ When will they do this ?” 

“To-day, if they can. I was with them at 
the council. I told them that I loved you, and 
would make you the mate of the Princess Ilalah. 
But to that my father would not agree. He says 
you must die.” 

Duncan took her hand and kissed it again, 
very gratefully and with a look of joy and ani- 
mation upon his face that fairly transformed 
it. 

“Did not this make you afraid?” I asked the 
girl, surprised that she seemed to accept her 
lover’s cruel fate so lightly. 

“Oh, no,” she replied. “For the white Chief 
I love is greater than the San Bias. He will 
save himself and fly, and I will go with him.” 

“Will you?” cried Duncan, earnestly. 

“And why not?” she asked, frankly. “Will 
the doe leave the stag she has chosen? Could 
I be happy or content without my white chief?” 
176 


War is Declared 


‘‘Here is a case of love at first sight, with a 
vengeance!” I said, greatly amused at the girl’s 
bold declaration. But Moit frowned upon me 
angrily and his eyes flashed. 

“Shut up, you pig!” he growled, and sud- 
denly I felt ashamed of myself for not better ap- 
preciating the maiden’s brave honesty. 

“Is there no way, Ilalah, to make your father 
wait until to-morrow morning?” he asked, tmn- 
ing again toward the girl. 

“Why should he wait?” she returned. 

“I have summoned mighty powers to my as- 
sistance,” declared Moit, after a moment’s 
thought, “and it would please me to await their 
arrival. It will make me stronger; but I am 
not afraid if your people begin the war at any 
time.” 

“And to-morrow morning?” 

“Then, at daybreak, you must come to me, 
and we will go away and leave your people.” 

“That is good,” she said, joyfully. “I will 
try to make my father wait, and to-morrow I 
will give up my power to go with my white 
chief.” ' 


177 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘^What is your power, Ilalah?’^ asked Dun- 
can, puzzled by the expression. 

‘‘After my father, I am the ruler of 
the Techlas, which you call the San Bias. When 
the king dies, I am queen, with power of life and 
death over my people. But the king my father 
hates white men, who may not live if they enter 
his kingdom, so I must go with my mate to 
another country where the king does not hate 
him, or to his own country, where he will rule.’^ 

This willing abdication of a throne for the 
sake of a man whom she had known only for a 
day aroused my wonder. But I could not fail 
to admire the girl’s courage, and indeed to rule 
the San Bias was no great privilege, in my es- 
timation. 

“If your father makes war to-day,” said 
Duncan, “fly here to me at once. Then, if I es- 
cape, we will never more be separated.” 

She promised readily to do this, and leaving 
the car rejoined her women and moved away to 
enter the palace. 

I noticed that while she had abandoned all — 
her life, her prejudices and her kingdom — for 
178 


War is Declared 


her white lover, Duncan Moit had promised noth- 
ing in return except that they would not be sep- 
arated. The thought made me sorry for the 
poor maid; but it was none of my affair. 

Bye and bye the king came out, followed by 
his chief men and counsellors, in an imposing 
group. 

As he approached, Bry and Nux again de- 
scended from the car and stood by the steps, and 
I followed and took up a position just behind 
them. Duncan, as before, remained inside. 
We were all prepared to act quickly in an emer- 
gency, but our plan was to secure a truce in 
some way until another morning. I could not 
understand why Moit desired the delay so 
earnestly, but was willing to assist him to obtain 
it. 

The king was plainly annoyed at the re- 
fusal of the black kings to come into his dwell- 
ing. His face still wore its calm expression but 
his eyes snapped ominously. 

‘"My brothers,’’ said he, ‘‘we do not like 
your white slaves. Years ago the whites 
wronged the Techlas most cruelly, and the law 
179 


Sam Steele in Panama 


of our nation is to put all white people to death 
who enter our country. I am sorry to take away 
your property, but the slaves must die.” 

‘"My brother,” answered Bry, ‘^see how 
much more we love you than you love us. We 
could kill you in a flash, even where you stand. 
We could destroy your village and all your peo- 
ple. If we so desired, there would be no more a 
nation of Techlas on the face of the earth. But 
we let you live, because we have called you our 
friend. To break that friendship would be to 
destroy yourselves. I beg you will not again 
ask us to give up our slaves to your cruel and un- 
just vengeance.” 

It did me much good to watch Nalig-Nad’s 
face. He did not like to risk defying the un- 
known power of the strangers, but if his own 
authority was thus ignored he would hereafter 
be a king only in name. Some of his chiefs 
were glancing at one another significantly, 
while others were clearly uneasy at our domi- 
neering attitude. 

I stood with my hands in the pockets of my 
jacket and a grin of amusement on my face when 
i8o 


War is Declared 

the king’s roving eyes suddenly observed me. I 
suppose his forbearance could not withstand the 
white boy’s audacity, for he raised his hand and 
at the signal a coil of rope shot through the air 
and a loop settled over my body and clutched me 
firmly around the chest. 

Instantly I was jerked from my feet and 
dragged into the group of warriors, all of whom, 
as if the action had been preconcerted, sprang 
forward with their spears levelled threateningly 
at Nux and Bry. 


CHAPTER XIII 

WE LOOK INTO DANGER'S EYES 

The capture was so sudden that it took me a 
moment to collect my wits. Although bruised 
and bumped to some extent I had not been much 
hurt, and even before I was jerked to my feet I 
cried aloud to my men : 

‘‘Get into the car and watch out! Don’t 
mind me. Take care of yourselves.” 

They obeyed promptly, but none too soon; 
for scarcely had they closed the door when a 
shower of arrows rattled against the dome. All 
subterfuge and arbitration was now at an end; 
they had at last “shot the arrow” and we might 
expect in the future nothing but implacable 
hatred. 

My captors — ^two stalwart chiefs — having 
raised me to my feet now held me firmly se- 
cured by means of the thong lasso which still 
encircled my body. The coils pinioned my elbows 
182 


We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 

SO closely to my sides that I could not even 
withdraw my hands from the pockets of my 
jacket. 

They had begun to hurry me toward the 
king’s house when a roar of dismay broke from 
the group we had just left. I turned half 
around and saw that the automobile had made a 
short circle and was plunging straight at the 
king and his warriors. Some were wise enough 
to scatter from its path, but the more dignified 
hesitated and were bowled over like a company 
of wooden soldiers and tossed in every direction. 

The lightness of the machine prevented many 
serious casualties, however, and while Duncan 
chased them here and there, managing the huge 
automobile with consumate skill, the warriors 
gathered up the stunned and maimed and, dodg- 
ing the onslaught as nimbly as they could, fled 
into the palace and houses where the terrible 
monster could not follow them. ’ 

Forgetting for the moment my own unenvi- 
able plight, I laughed heartily at the exhibition 
until the two chiefs pushed me roughly toward a 


183 


Sam Steele in Panama 


doorway and so along the narrow hall and into 
the big courtyard. 

Here the chiefs began to gather, muttering 
angrily at their recent discomfiture and casting 
upon me glances of such malignity that they had 
the effect of sobering me effectually. 

The king came limping in and dropped upon 
his bench with a brow like a thundercloud. He 
had not been much injured, but his royal dignity 
had suffered a severe blow. 

While one man held the loose end of my las- 
so and guarded me, the others all ranged them- 
selves back of the king, who said, with what ap- 
peared to me to be unseemly haste : 

^‘What shall be the fate of the white 
stranger T' 

‘'Death!'’ they cried, in a fierce chorus. 

“And at once,” added Nalig-Nad. He 
glanced around him. “To you, Tetch-Tsa, I 
allow the privilege.” 

A stout young fellow with considerable of the 
royal green in his robe stepped forward with a 
grim smile and drew his long knife. As I 
looked at him I clutched with my fingers the 
184 


We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 

handles of the two self-cocking revolvers that 
were fortunately in my jacket pockets, and which 
I had been secretly holding when the coil of the 
lasso settled over me. I was not able to move 
my arms because of the thong that pressed them 
against my body, but I pointed the barrel of the 
right hand weapon as accurately as I could 
toward my proposed executioner. When he was 
but a few paces off I blazed away at him. 

At the first shot he paused, as if astonished; 
at the second he threw up his arms and tumbled 
over. 

Instantly I whirled and fired at the man be- 
hind, and my position was so awkward and my 
aim so uncertain that I emptied the chambers of 
the revolver in quick succession to make sure 
one bullet would take effect. 

He staggered back and released the thong, 
and even while I loosed the slip-noose I ran to- 
ward the hall and made my best speed for the 
door. 

The thong tripped me as it dropped to my 
feet and I fell just in time to escape a spear that 
was hurled after me. Another, as I jumped up, 
185 


Sam Steele in Panama 


slipped past my right ear, and a third slashed 
my hip. But I fled for dear life and in a jiffy 
was free of the house and heading across the 
enclosure toward the automobile. 

They saw me coming and opened the door 
for me to tumble in. A spear crashed into the 
netted glass just as the door swung into place 
again, hurled with such force that its point stuck 
half way into the car and taught us we were not 
so secure within the dome as we had imagined. 
But now I lay panting upon the floor while Bry- 
onia emptied a couple of revolvers into the crowd 
of my pursuers and brought them to an abrupt 
halt. 

‘‘Getting a little warm,” remarked Duncan 
Moit, calmly. “Fm not sure, Sam, whether we 
can stick out the day or not.” 

“Glad you escape. Mars’ Sam!” said Nux, 
bending over me. “Bad hurt?” 

“I guess not,” I answered, still breathing 
hard. 

The black unfastened my clothing, which was 
saturated with blood just over the left hip. The 
spear had cut an angry looking gash in the flesh 
1 86 


We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 

as a passing reminder of what it might do if bet- 
ter aimed, but fortunately the wound was not 
deep and on account of its location would cause 
me little trouble beyond a slight stiffness. Nux 
began to dress it as well as he could by tearing up 
a shirt for bandages and applying plenty of stick- 
ing plaster from the supply we had brought with 
us. I thought he made a very good job of it, 
being somewhat skilled in the treatment of flesh 
wounds myself. 

I could imagine how furious the San Bias 
would be at my escape. They did not venture 
out into the open space after these two repulses, 
but hung around the doorways in an alert and 
vigilant way, being very sure that we could not 
get out of the enclosure and would be unable to 
defy them for any length of time. 

Duncan rather expected the princess to ap- 
pear, as she had promised in case of open war- 
fare; but either she did not consider the emer- 
gency had yet arisen or she had been prevented 
from acting as she wished. 

‘T won’t go without her, though,” he mut-^ 
tered, decidedly. 


187 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘‘Tell me,” said I, “what is your object in 
wanting to wait until to-morrow before escap- 
ing from here? I can’t see that another day 
will bring any better condition to our captivity, 
and it’s a settled fact that we can’t get the ma- 
chine out of this enclosure, in any event.” 

“Perhaps I ought to explain,” he began, and 
then paused for a long time, as if absorbed in 
deep thought. 

“Take your time, Duncan,” I remarked, 
impatiently. 

He did not notice the sarcasm, but my voice 
aroused him and he said : 

“Perhaps you remember that I once told you 
I used a glycerine explosive of my own invention 
to prime the engines of this automobile. In start- 
ing, a tiny drop is fed into the cylinders to pro- 
cure the air compression which furnishes the 
motive power.” 

“I remember; go ahead.” 

“The feeding chamber is ■ supplied with 
enough of this explosive to run the machine a 
year or more,” he continued; “but when I made 
it, in my own laboratory, the apparatus required 

i88 


We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 

was SO complicated and expensive that I decid- 
ed to manufacture an extra supply, to use in 
other machines which I intended to build 
later.” 

see.” 

“This reserve supply, in a powerfully con- 
centrated form, I now have with me.” 

“Oh! Isn’t it dangerous, old man?” I asked, 
glancing around uneasily. 

“Properly applied it might blow all Panama 
to atoms,” he returned vaguely. “But it cannot 
be accidently exploded while it remains in the 
place I have provided for it.” 

“Where is that?” 

He reached down and removed a square trap 
in the floor of the car. Leaning over, I discovered 
a small cylindrical jar, having the capacity of 
about a quart, which was suspended at one side 
of the driving shaft. The straps that held it in 
place allowing it to swing in any direction with 
the movement of the machine, but any sudden 
jar was impossible. 

“Is it like nitro-glycerine ?” I asked, eyeing 
the cylinder with an involuntary shudder. 

189 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘‘Not at all/’ replied the inventor, calmly clos- 
ing the trap again. “It is a much more power- 
ful explosive, in its concentrated form, but may 
be diluted to any strength desired. The mechan- 
ism I have invented for its application renders 
it perfectly harmless when exploded in atomic 
quantities in the engines, although ordinary con- 
cussion would, as in the case of nitro-glycerine, 
explode the condensed contents of the extra 
cylinder.” 

‘T think I now comprehend your idea,” said I. 

“Yes, it is very simple. Under cover of dark- 
ness I propose to bore a hole in that barrier and 
fill it with my explosive. In the morning I will 
blow up the wall and in the excitement that fol- 
lows run the machine through the gap and es- 
cape.” 

“Very good!” I exclaimed, joyfully. “Then 
all we need do is to keep these Indians at bay un- 
til we have an opportunity to do the job.” 

“Otherwise,” said he, musingly, “I would 
have to throw some of the explosive at the wall, 
and that attempt might prove as dangerous for 
us as are the fierce San Bias themselves.” 


We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 

The Indians seemed for some time unwilling 
to resume the attack. It was the middle of the 
afternoon before the king sent a messenger from 
his council chamber to say that all friendship had 
now ceased and we must consider ourselves com- 
pletely in his power. If the Senator Nux and the 
Honorable Bryonia would leave the village alone 
and on foot, Nalig-Nad would guarantee their 
safe conduct to the border, and thus they would 
be permitted to escape. The white men and 
their devil-machine were alike doomed, and could 
in no way survive the vengeance of the Techlas. 
And, unless Nux and Bry abandoned us at once, 
they must perish with us. 

This proposition enabled us to gain the de- 
sired respite. Bryonia pretended to consult with 
Nux and then answered the messenger that they 
would decide the matter at daybreak the follow- 
ing morning. At that time the final answer of 
the two kings would be given to Nalig-Nad, and 
they intimated that they might possibly decide to 
abandon the miserable whites and save their own 
skins. 

Whether this proposition was satisfactory or 
191 


Sam Steele in Panama 


not to the king and his council did not appear; 
but the San Bias evidently decided to wait, for 
they did not molest us again that day. 

As night approached we were somewhat 
worried lest they should resume the attempts to 
burn us ; but they must have been satisfied of the 
impossibility of such a proceeding. No bonfires 
were lighted, which suited our plans admirably. 

The moon, however, was brilliant during the 
first part of the night, and by its rays we could 
see that watchers were maintained in several 
places, so we were unable to do more than re- 
strain our impatience as best we might. Moit 
raised the trap and carefully removed the cylin- 
der that contained the explosive from its sus- 
pended position, placing it on the seat beside 
him. The very sight of the thing filled me with 
terror, and both Nux and Bry moved as far away 
from it as possible — as if that would do any good 
if it went off. But the inventor had handled it 
so often that he did not fear it as we did, and 
taking an empty glass bottle that was about as big 
around as your little finger he unscrewed the cap 


192 


We Look Into Danger’s Eyes 

of the cylinder and calmly filled the bottle from 
its contents. 

I watched him as if entranced, and thought 
the liquid resembled castor oil in color and con- 
sistency. When the bottle was filled Duncan 
corked it and put it in his inside pocket, after- 
ward replacing the cylinder and strapping it into 
place. 

And now he rummaged in his box of tools and 
took out a brace and a long bit that was about a 
half inch in diameter. He also picked out a piece 
of red chalk and placed that too in his pocket. 

We were all ready, now, but had to wait, al- 
though the strain began to tell upon our nerves. 

Finally the moon passed behind the king’s 
house and sank so low that the building cast a 
black shadow over the enclosure, throwing both 
the automobile and the barricaded archway into 
intense darkness. 

‘^In an hour more day will break,” whis- 
pered Duncan in an anxious voice. ‘‘We must 
work quickly now, or we are lost.” 

He started the machine moving so slowly 
that it merely crept toward the wall. The watch- 
193 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ers had doubtless retired, for we heard no sound 
of movement in the sleeping village. 

When we had approached quite near to the 
barricade Moit softly opened the rear door, left 
the car, and crawled on hands and knees to the 
wall. We showed no light at all, and from the 
automobile I lost sight of our friend altogether. 

But presently I could hear the faint sound of 
the augur as it ground its way into the clay wall. 
Duncan started at about the middle of the bar- 
ricade, but bored his hole slanting downward, 
so that the explosive would run into the cavity 
without danger of escaping. It did not take him 
more than a few minutes to complete his task, and 
before long he was back in the car again, holding 
the empty bottle before our faces with a smile of 
satisfaction. 

And now the machine crept inch by inch back 
to its former position, and we were ready for the 
day to break. 


194 


CHAPTER XIV 


WE ASTONISH OUR FOES 

Slowly the sun arose, and as its first rays 
lighted the cloudless sky Ilalah came gliding 
from the palace and sprang lightly up the steps 
that Duncan had let down in order to receive 
her. Once she was in the car we all breathed 
easier, and the inventor especially showed his con- 
tent and exultation. 

‘‘Now let them come!” he cried; and each of 
us felt that the sooner the suspense was over the 
better we would like it. 

King Nalig-Nad gave us plenty of time, 
though, and we had breakfast while we waited, 
the princess accepting her share with gracious 
enjoyment of a meal quite novel in her experi- 
ence. She was so unaffected and so charming in 
her manner that already we began to consider 
her one of us. 

At last the king and his chiefs emerged, and 

195 


Sam Steele in Panama 

we could see by their stern faces that a climax in 
our adventure had arrived. 

Moit was ready for them. He backed the 
machine around until it was facing the barri- 
cade and as far removed from it as the enclosure 
would allow. He had made Ilalah crouch low on 
the floor of the car, so that her people would not 
discover her presence. 

A spokesman advanced from the group of 
warriors and demanded Bryonia’s promised an- 
swer. 

I opened a side window and said, boldly and 
in a loud voice, that we had played with the San 
Bias people long enough. 

‘‘You annoy us with your foolish demands,” 
I added, “and we cannot bother to remain with 
you longer. Had you been friendly, we would 
have favored you ; but you are silly children, and 
so we leave you.” 

As I finished speaking Duncan opened the 
window in front of his steering wheel and aimed 
a shot from his revolver at the red chalk mark 
on the barricade that marked the location of the 


196 


We Astonish Our Foes 

explosive. There was no result, so he fired 
again, and still again. 

The natives, at first furious at my insults, now 
paused to wonder what the big white slave was 
shooting at, and I saw that the inventor’s nerv- 
ousness or lack of marksmanship was likely soon 
to plunge us into a deal of trouble. Leaping to 
his side I pushed him away and took careful aim 
with my own revolver. 

A crash that seemed to rend the very air fol- 
lowed. The machine was hurled backward 
against the king’s palace, from which a rain of 
mud bricks and bits of wood rattled down upon 
us, while all the open space of the enclosure was 
filled with falling debris. 

Shrieks of terror and pain followed, while 
we, who had all been dumped in a heap on the 
floor of the car, scrambled up and took note of 
what had happened. The wall had vanished, and 
only a ragged depression in the earth remained 
to mark the place where the barricade had lately 
stood. 

None of us was injured, fortunately, and as 
soon as Duncan had assured himself that Ilalah 


197 


Sam Steele in Panama 


was alive and unhurt he sprang to the lever and 
the machine bounded forward and skimmed light 
as a feather over the littered ground. 

I tried to look out and wave an adieu to King 
Nalig-Nad; but we were off like a shot across 
the meadows and all I could see was a mass of 
excited natives rushing here and there in wild 
confusion. 

After fifteen minutes of this terrific speed 
Moit moderated our pace, for we were miles from 
the village and pursuit was impossible. 

‘Where now he asked, his voice seeming to 
indicate that he cared not a rap, since we had 
managed to escape with the beautiful princess. 

“It will be well for us to find that valley of 
diamonds as soon as possible,’' said I, “and se- 
cure our plunder before the king can raise the 
alarm and head us off.” 

“All right; where is it?” he demanded. 

I produced the map and pointed out the lo- 
cation of the valley, which appeared to lie in a 
fork of the river, far to the south. 

“We are now somewhere to the east of the 
king’s yillage,” I observed. “The hilly ground 
198 


We Astonish Our Foes 

ahead of us rises to small mountains between here 
and the sea; but if we turn south there is open 
country clear through to the forest-clad mountain 
range, and when we reach the forest we can fol- 
low its edge until we come to the diamond val- 
ley.’’ 

'That is clear enough,” replied Moit, looking 
over my shoulder. 

So we turned south, and presently came to 
a stream with such steep banks that we could 
not cross it. The map had not prepared us for 
this, so we kept to the eastward, endeavoring to 
find a crossing, until we reached a marsh, and 
found our wheels sinking into a soft and 
treacherous bog. 

We backed out just in time to avoid serious 
trouble, and had to go north again, skirting the 
marsh slowly and with care until we were once 
more in the hills we had recently left. 

This was decidedly annoying, and we ap- 
pealed to Ilalah. 

"Is there not a path from here to the moun- 
tains?” I asked. 


199 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘'Oh, yes;” she said; ‘'there must be many 
paths.” 

"Do you know them?” 

"Not to go to them from here. Often I and 
my women cross to the great forest from our 
village; but we seldom come here at all.” 

"I don’t blame you,” growled Moit. "This 
part of your country isn’t worth photographing. 
What shall we do now, Sam?” 

"I don’t like to go back,” said I, studying 
the map with a suspicion that its maker had 
never been in this section at all. "But we might 
try these hills. If we could find a path over 
them it might lead us around the marsh, and then 
we would be all right.” 

"How do you know? There may be more 
marshes,” he suggested. 

"It may be. This is all guess work, it 
seems — map and all. But if we reached the 
ocean we could run along the beach at low tide, 
and make good time.” 

"It is certainly worth a trial,” he said ; "and 
if we fail we cannot be any worse off than we are 
at present.” 


200 


We Astonish Our Foes 


I doubted that the automobile would be much 
of a hill-climber, because until then I had a 
notion that the heaviest machines, with the most 
power to move their weight, could climb the 
easiest. But a few minutes removed that erratic 
idea from my mind. We skimmed up the slopes 
as lightly as an ibex, and went down them much 
more safely than a heavy machine under the 
strain of brakes could do. And so, winding 
around this hill and over that, we kept on at an 
easy pace until the breath of salt air could be 
felt and we knew we were close to the sea. 

But now the hills became rocky and more 
difficult. One good sized mound stood right in 
our way, and after a close inspection of it through 
our telescope (for Moit seemed to have forgotten 
nothing in fitting up his automobile) we saw a 
broad ledge running around its right side which 
promised a way through to the coast. 

By now it was after midday, for much time 
had been consumed in seeking a path through 
this wild and unknown country. So we halted 
for luncheon, and as we ate I said to Ilalah: 

“How did you learn to speak such fine Eng- 


201 


Sam Steele in Panama 


lish, Princess, when your people have always 
hated the whites and tried to drive them from 
your dominions?” 

‘The king my father,” she answered, “is very 
wise. From his captives he has learned that 
half of the people of the world speak English. 
So he thought it would be best for some of the 
Techlas to speak English too. One day our 
watchers brought to the king a man and a 
woman, who were of the English but could speak 
a little Spanish too. My father promised them 
life if they would teach us to speak the English 
tongue. So the man taught the king and his 
noble chiefs each day in the courtyard of the 
palace, while the woman taught the foreign 
tongue to me and my favorite attendants in our 
own rooms. It was a long task and a hard one, 
but after many moons some of us could speak 
and understand the English well enough.” 

“Did you also learn to read?” Duncan asked. 

“No. My father says written words are lies, 
for when you read the signs you cannot read the 
speaker’s eyes and know that he speaks truth. 


202 


We Astonish Our Foes 


The Techlas do not love the sign language, and 
will not have it/' 

“That is foolish,” I said. “If you cannot 
read, you cannot know what is going on in the 
world.” 

“And that is what we do not wish to know,” 
she answered, smiling. “My people say that to 
hear of other people is to make unhappiness. We 
live only our own lives; so why should we care 
what happens in other lives in other countries?” 

It struck me there was some sense in that, 
if their own lives were sufficient to content them. 

“What became of the white man and woman 
who taught you ?” asked Duncan. 

“After we had learned to speak their tongue 
my father killed them,” she answered simply. 

“Then he, too, lied,” I said. 

“Not so. He promised them life if they would 
teach us, and they lived. But he could not 
promise them life for all time, because all life 
is uncertain.” 

“So he killed them?” 

“Yes; having no longer need for them. They 


203 


Sam Steele in Panama 

were white, and the Techlas hate all white 
people/^ 

‘‘Because of their color?” 

“Because they once robbed our people and 
drove them from their homes.” 

“Listen,. Ilalah,” said Duncan, earnestly ; “the 
white race that wronged your people was the 
Spanish race; but there are many whites that 
are not Spaniards — any more than are all In- 
dians Techlas. So you have no reason to hate 
us, who are not Spanish and have never wronged 
you.” 

“I do not hate you,” she answered, taking his 
hand and pressing it fondly. “I love you.” 

“But your people do.” 

She grew serious. 

“If I should come to rule my people,” was the 
slow answer, “I would command them to hate 
and to kill only the Spaniards. But I will never 
rule them, because I shall go with you to your 
own country, where you are the king, and help 
you to rule your subjects.” 

I laughed at the idea, although the sentiment 
was so> pretty. Duncan frowned at me. He did 
204 


We Astonish Our Foes 


not tell the Indian maid that he was merely a 
bankrupt inventor, with no subjects and no wealth 
aside from the possession of his really wonderful 
machine. Why should he? 

We now moved on again, following the nat- 
ural ledge of rock that wound around the hill. The 
precipice beside it grew deeper and more danger- 
ous as we advanced, and the ledge narrowed un- 
til often there was barely room for the machine 
to pass around a projection. Also the ledge 
sometimes inclined toward the chasm at an 
awkward angle that forced us to crawl cautiously 
along and rely upon the rubber tires to keep us 
from slipping off the rock entirely. 

Not knowing from one moment to another 
what the windings of the ledge were about to dis- 
close, it is obvious that our journey was as inter- 
esting as it was exciting. But we kept moving 
with dogged perseverance until, with the end al- 
most in sight, we were brought to an abrupt halt 
by the total disappearance of the- ledge itself. 

With a precipice in front and one at our 
right, while a steep wall of rock towered at our 
left, we had no trouble to decide that we must go 
205 


Sam Steele in Panama 


back by the same nerve-racking path we had 
come. This was the more embarrassing that we 
had no room to turn around, and it was no easy 
task to back the machine over the dangerous 
places. 

Duncan made us all get out and walk. The 
way he steered the machine along its crab-like 
course filled me with wonder and admiration, and 
I am sure Ilalah considered him little less than a 
god. 

We had dropped the dome top to bring the 
weight closer to the ground, and if the auto- 
mobile chanced to slip over the edge Duncan 
would have a good show to leap out and save 
himself. Yet so dear was the machine to its 
inventor that I feel positive that Moit, at any 
time before Ilalah had enslaved him with her 
sweet face, would have gone to his death in it 
without hesitation rather than live to see it de- 
molished. But the pretty Indian princess now 
possessed his heart as the automobile had pos- 
sessed his brain, and with such a divided al- 
legiance I looked to see him jump in case any- 
thing went wrong. But nothing did, and so the 
206 


We Astonish Our Foes 


occasion to test the strength of his affection for 
the girl or the machine did not transpire. Know- 
ing so accurately the capabilities of his marvelous 
invention, he was able to guide it safely until 
we reached once more the base of the hill and 
came upon level ground. 

Then we all breathed again, and entering the 
car held a council to discuss our future actions. 

‘Tsn't the Atlantic coast inhabited by your 
people ?” I asked Ilalah. 

‘^Only in the northern part, where the cocoa- 
nut groves are,” she answered. 

Then, as we questioned her, she told us some 
interesting things about her people. Off the 
coast were several islands, also inhabited by the 
San Bias Tribes, the chiefs of which all paid 
tribute to Nalig-Nad. These tribes hated the 
whites even more venomously than did the dwell- 
ers on the mainland, although they traded con- 
stantly with many ships that came to them for 
their cocoanuts, which are considered the finest 
grown in all the world. 

She said these ships were from many coun- 
tries, but their crews were never permitted to 
207 


Sam Steele in Panama 


sleep a night upon the shore and merely landed 
to make their trades with the natives. The San 
Bias people built great pyramids of cocoanuts 
close to the landing places, and when a ship ar- 
rived the natives retired and allowed the traders 
to come ashore and examine and count the supply 
of cocoanuts. When they had estimated the 
worth of the offering thus made them by the 
Indians they placed beside the pyramids such 
articles as they were willing to exchange, in- 
cluding beads, clothing, tools and liquors. Then 
they all retired to their ship and allowed the In- 
dians to advance and look over the goods. If 
they were satisfied it was a fair exchange they 
took the plunder away and permitted the traders 
to load the cocoanuts upon their vessel ; but if the 
San Bias considered the offer too little, they left 
the goods untouched and again retired. Then 
the traders must add more, until the natives were 
content, before they undertook to remove a single 
cocoanut. 

No other form of communication ever took 
place between these two inimical races, and the 
San Bias island tribes were so rich in cocoanut 
208 


We Astonish Our Foes 


groves and so shrewd in trading, that they were 
the most prosperous subjects the king could 
boast. 

Smaller groves were also on the mainland, 
south of the marsh country, and traders reached 
that district by entering a bay and the mouths 
of one or two rivers. But all trading was there 
conducted in the same manner as upon the is- 
lands, and it was only in the north, where we 
had entered, that the whites came occasionally to 
trade for skins, tortoise-shell and grains from the 
farm lands, and with these parties Nalig-Nad 
personally conducted the trading and was thus 
able to jealously guard his border from invasion. 

I would like to say, at this point in my di- 
gression from my story, that many travellers 
who have had no personal experience with the 
San Bias Indians have been induced by the un- 
reliable gossip of the traders to write preposterous 
tales concerning the manners and customs of these 
interesting natives. As a rule such descriptions 
are very misleading, and I am quite positive no 
white men before our visit to the Techlas have 


209 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ever had the same opportunities to observe their 
country and their customs as we had. 

So much time had been lost in our futile 
journeying and in discussing our plans with the 
princess, that the sun was now low in the 
horizon. It was discouraging to reflect that in 
all that long day we had accomplished nothing at 
all since our escape from the village. 

To endeavor to cross an unknown country at 
night would be folly ; so there was nothing to do 
but find a convenient place to camp until morning. 

‘‘Our safest plan,” I counselled, “is to return 
to the river the way we came, and paddle up- 
stream as far as possible. Then we can take to 
the bank and still follow the stream to the valley 
of diamonds. Our departed friend, the Ger- 
man, was not a success as a map-maker; but we 
know that he followed the river in the way I 
propose, so that part of the country is probably 
depicted on the map with a fair degree of ac- 
curacy.” 

“This plan will oblige us to pass the villages 
again,” objected Moit, “and that will mean a 
fight.” 


210 


We Astonish Our Foes 


‘‘Not necessarily. The country is level there, 
and we can dash by at full speed, before they 
know we are coming/’ 

It really seemed the only practical thing to do ; 
so we decided to get as near to the king’s village 
as possible without danger of being observed, and 
then wait until daylight to regain the river. 

I kept watch through the telescope as we 
bowled along over the smooth meadows; and 
when, just at dusk, I sighted the distant enclosure, 
we came to a halt. 

While Nux and Bry cooked us a good supper 
the rest of us got out of the car and strolled to 
the brook to stretch our limbs. I felt that “three 
was a crowd” and let Duncan and Ilalah walk by 
themselves. They wandered so far and were so 
deeply occupied by their own interesting con- 
versation that when the meal was ready I jumped 
into the machine and ran it over to where they 
were sitting side by side on the bank of the brook. 

It was easy enough to do, for I had watched 
Moit very carefully; but the inventor was not at 
all pleased with what he called my “infernal 


211 


Sam Steele in Panama 


meddling/' and told me to keep my hands off his 
property thereafter. 

When darkness came on and it was time to 
sleep I proposed rigging up a little room in the 
front of the car for Ilalah by suspending blankets 
from the dome to the floor. In this way the 
princess would have all the seclusion of a private 
apartment. But Duncan protested that he had 
no intention of sleeping while we were in so 
dangerous a position, and Ilalah very promptly 
decided to sit up with him and keep him com- 
pany. 

So there was no need for the rest of us to do 
more than lie down and go to sleep, an under- 
taking which we accomplished with much satis- 
faction. 


212 


CHAPTER XV 


WE SEARCH FOR THE VALLEY 

At the first sign of light we were off, making 
to the north until we had nearly reached the edge 
of the wood and then following its curves over 
the plains toward the west. 

In this way we managed to gain a considerable 
distance northward from the villages, and al- 
though we passed some scattered houses and a 
few groups of farmers who were early in the 
fields, there was no attempt made to interfere 
with our progress. 

But when we came to the bank of the main 
river — making the same point where we had 
first landed — we found a different condition of af- 
fairs confronting us. Fully a hundred warriors 
were gathered on the bank, armed and prepared 
to receive us. I saw them through our tele- 
scope before they could see us, and we halted at 
once for a conference. 


213 


Sam Steele in Panama 

Nalig-Nad had evidently conceived the notion 
that in order to leave his country we would be 
forced to pass down the river at this point, and 
therefore it was here that he had determined to 
assemble his forces in order to stop us. He was 
right in his conclusion that we needed the water- 
way to carry us to our ship, but he was wrong 
in thinking that we were ready to escape. 

The approach to the river was somewhat con- 
fined, because the forest was on one side of ua 
and the high-banked stream entered the river on 
the other side, narrowing the plain whereon we 
could travel to rather a small space. It would be 
impossible to proceed without coming into con- 
tact with the band of natives ahead of us. 

These warriors seemed intent on watching the 
river, for they had no idea that we had altered 
our course and would come up behind them. In- 
deed, we afterward learned that there was a good 
path around the base of the hills to the eastward, 
and had we not been so ignorant of the country 
we need not have turned back at all. But here 
we were, confronting a grave emergency, and it 
puzzled us for a time to know what to do. 

214 


We Search for the Valley 

Duncan solved the difficulty in his own pe- 
culiar way. 

“Isn’t that a house over there?” he asked, 
pointing to a roof that showed above a small 
hollow. 

“It is sure to be,” I answered, and the prin- 
cess, who was quite at home in this section, said 
we were right. 

Without more ado Duncan ran the machine 
over to the house, passing a man who stood in a 
field staring at us. As we drew up at the door of 
the primitive hut and Moit leaped out of the car, 
a woman sprang away like a startled deer carry- 
ing a child in her arms and screaming lustily, al- 
though Ilalah called to her not to be afraid. 

Duncan entered the house and quickly re- 
turned bearing a bow and a sheaf of arrows in 
a leathern quiver. His face wore a smile of 
satisfaction, but as he rejoined us and started the 
car again I said to him: 

“Do you imagine we can shoot better with 
that outfit than with our revolvers?” 

“Yes; one shot will be worth a volley from 
a regiment,” he returned. 

215 


Sam Steele in Panama 

I own I was puzzled, but he graciously al- 
lowed me to run the car, although at a moderate 
speed, so that I had little chance to observe his 
immediate actions. I heard him lift the trap in 
the door, though, and then, after a period of 
silence, he touched my arm and told me to stop. 

We could now observe with the naked eye 
the group of Indians on the river bank. 

‘"Who can make the best shot with this con- 
trivance?” asked Moit. 

I turned around and understood his plan at 
once. To one of the arrows he had firmly tied 
the slender glass bottle, and I could see that it 
had again been filed with the dreadful explosive. 

“I shoot,” said Nux, nodding his head 
gravely. 

Both of the blacks shot splendidly with the 
bow, I remembered, for it was their native 
weapon. But Nux was the best marksman of 
the two. 

Duncan handed the arrow and the bow to him 
and opened a side window. 

‘‘When we get a hundred yards away from 
the river,” said he, “shoot the arrow among the 
216 


We Search for the Valley 

San Bias; but try, if you can, to strike one of 
those trees growing by the bank. Can you shoot 
so far, and shoot straight?” 

Nux nodded confidently, but held the arrow 
with great caution and was evidently afraid of it. 

The machine started again and rolled over the 
thick turf at a great rate of speed, heading di- 
rectly toward the river. Soon one of the In- 
dians discovered us, and gave a cry that turned 
every face in our direction. 

“Now!” shouted Moit, without slackening 
speed. 

Nux drew the bow and the arrow sped swiftly 
on its mission. The aim was good, but the bottle 
so weighted the shaft that I feared for a moment 
it would miss the mark. It flew over the heads 
of the group, in a graceful curve, and struck a 
root at the very base of the tree. 

The explosion was instantaneous. The tree 
itself flew skyward and the air was filled with 
earth, wood and Indians. I do not know how 
many of the San Bias suffered in this catastrophy, 
but ^ those who were left were thrown into such 
dire confusion that they fled in all directions and 
217 


Sam Steele in Panama 

many leaped into the river in an endeavor to 
escape. 

Meantime the machine never abated its speed 
for an instant, although the ears of all on board 
were ringing with the shock. We knew that we 
must take advantage of our opportunity and the 
confusion of our foes, so on we drove until we 
reached the low, shelving bank, and the next 
moment plunged unhesitatingly into the water. 

Duncan sprung the paddles on the rims and 
turned the wheel to guide our course up stream. 
Before the Indians could recover we were a good 
distance away and had turned the first bend so 
that we were hidden from their view. 

“Get out the revolvers and stand ready,” said 
Moit. “They will probably follow, and we can- 
not tell how long the water will be of a sufficient 
depth to float us.” 

But the San Bias decided not to give chase. 
They had ample evidence, by this time, that we 
were dangerous enemies, and since we had chosen 
to proceed still farther into their territory in- 
stead of trying to leave it, they would have plenty 


218 


We Search for the Valley 

of time to reorganize their forces and determine 
on the best method to oppose us. 

We found the stream navigable for several 
miles. Then we reached the uplands, and the 
water began tumbling amongst rocky boulders in 
a way that made farther progress dangerous. So 
we took to the land, gaining the left bank with 
ease and then rolling along in a southerly di- 
rection. 

And now we had occasion to blame the map- 
maker again, for instead of the single fork in the 
stream which he had depicted we found a dozen 
branches leading down from the mountains and 
forming a regular network on this part of the 
plain. Several we forded, losing more and more 
our sense of location, until finally we came to a 
high embankment that barred our way and were 
forced to follow its course up to the forest, which 
we reached about the middle of the afternoon. 

The grandeur of this immense woodland, as 
we approached its border, both awed and amazed 
us. The wood we had passed at the north was 
nothing more than a grove of trees when com- 


219 


Sam Steele in Panama 


pared with the grand primeval forest that covered 
the mountain as far as the eye could reach. 

We hardly knew whether to turn to the east 
or west from this point, and so we asked Ilalah 
if she had any idea in which direction lay the 
valley where the ‘Svhite pebbles’^ were found. 

She had none at all. The law forbidding the 
Techlas to gather these pebbles was passed by 
the king her father years ago, when she was but 
a child. No one had ever mentioned in her 
hearing where they had been found. 

Fairly bewildered as to our whereabouts, by 
this time, we turned to the left and, easily ford- 
ing now the shallow streams we encountered, 
visited several valleys without having a notion 
whether any of them was the one we sought, or 
not. 

Finally I said to the princess: 

‘The place we seek has a great rock of red 
granite stone in the center, and a part of the 
rock points like an arm directly at the forest.’’ 

“Oh, yes!” she exclaimed; “that place I re- 
member well, for I have visited it often as a girl.” 

Here was cheering news, indeed. 


220 


We Search for the Valley 


“Is it near here?’’ asked Duncan. 

“It is far to the right,” she answered, after 
some thought. “We should not have come in 
this direction at all.” 

Blaming ourselves for our stupidity in not 
questioning the girl about this land-mark before, 
we turned the machine again and began to double 
on our tracks. 

“This means spending another night in the 
wilderness,” said Moit ; but he spoke with unusual 
cheerfulness, and I reflected that as long as Ilalah 
was by his side our inventor was not likely to 
complain of the length of this trip. 

“But there seem to be no Indians in this neigh- 
borhood to annoy us,” I observed. “Do you 
know, Duncan, I believe that your invention of 
the glycerine explosive is almost as important 
as the machine itself?” 

“Oh, it has helped us nicely in two emergen- 
cies, so far,” he answered soberly; “but I hope 
we shall not be called upon to use it again. It 
is so powerful that it frightens me. Every time 
I handle it I place all of us in as much danger 
as I do our enemies, for a premature explosion 


221 


Sam Steele in Panama 


is not unlikely to happen. Especially is this 
true in so hot a climate as the one we are now 
travelling in. The can that contains the glyceroid 
was quite warm when I filled that bottle to-day, 
and this condition adds to its tendency to ex- 
plode.” 

It made me a little uneasy to hear this. 

‘'Doesn’t it require a jar to set it off?” I 
asked. 

“Almost always. And there is less chance of 
a jar to the can if we leave it alone.” 

We finally reached the place where we had 
first arrived at the forest, and fording the stream, 
which was shallow as it came from the wood, con- 
tinued our search to the westward. The country 
was very beautiful around here, and when I asked 
Ilalah why it was not more thickly settled she 
said that the forest was full of terrible beasts 
and serpents, which attacked men fearlessly and 
destroyed them. So few cared to live in the 
neighborhood. 

We were not afraid, though, with the pro- 
tection of the car, and when the princess recog- 
nized, just at dark, a familiar landmark, and as- 


222 


We Search for the Valley 

sured us the valley we sought was not far dis- 
tant, we decided to make our camp where we were 
and await the morning to complete our quest. 

The temperature cooled rapidly in the shade 
of the forest, and we were now in the uplands, 
too, where the day was never as sultry as on the 
lower plains; so we thoroughly enjoyed the 
evening. 

Ilalah sang sweetly sortie of her native songs, 
and Nux and Bry favored us with a duet that 
they had learned in their own far away island 
home. So we were merry enough until bed- 
time, and then, the Sulus being appointed to keep 
watch, the rest of us turned in and slept fairly 
well until morning, despite the sound of an oc- 
casional wild beast prowling around our glass- 
covered retreat. 


223 


CHAPTER XVI 


THE ARROW-MAKER 

We were up and stirring early, and after a 
good breakfast and a draught of cool water from 
a sparkling brook near by, we started again in 
search of the valley of diamonds. 

An hour’s swift run brought us to the slight 
depression in which stood the great block of red 
granite we had so eagerly sought. There was no 
mistaking it, as the German had said; curiously 
enough, it was the only granite boulder we had 
seen in this country. 

A long, horizontal spike of rock near the 
apex pointed unerringly into the near-by forest, 
and I dismounted and walked from the boulder 
slowly in the direction indicated by the guide. 

Sure enough, on reaching the forest I found 
myself confronting a gigantic mahogany tree, 
standing a little in advance of its fellows; so 
with a shout of joy I beckoned to my comrades 
224 


The Arrow-Maker 


and waited for them to join me. Duncan ran 
the automobile close up to the edge of the wood, 
and then stopped the engines and closed the door 
of the dome so that we could all take part in the 
discovery of the diamonds. 

Entering the forest, which was quite open 
and clear at this one spot, we had no difficulty 
in finding the dead stump, and then I fell upon 
my knees and began to remove the thick moss 
that clung to the ground all around the stump. 

I was scarcely more excited than the others — 
if I may except the princess, to whom treasure 
had no meaning. Moit, Nux and Bry were all 
bending over me, while in the background the 
Indian maiden watched us with a plaintive smile. 
To her this anxiety to secure a collection of peb- 
bles was not quite comprehensible. 

At first the moss resisted my efforts. Then, 
as I moved farther around, a great patch of the 
growth suddenly gave way to my grasp and 
disclosed a large cavity between two prongs of 
the stump. 

I leaned over to look. Then I thrust in my 
arm to make sure. 


225 


Sam Steele in Panama 


The cavity was empty. 

‘Try somewhere else!’^ cried Moit, hoarsely. 
He had risked a good deal for the gems which 
were to enable him to become famous and 
wealthy, and this disappointment was sufficient to 
fill his heart with despair, had he not found an- 
other treasure in Ilalah which might somewhat 
mitigate this baffling failure. 

I worked all around the stump, digging up the 
moss with my knife and finger-nails; but in 
every other place the ground was solid. There 
was but this one vacant cavity, and when at last 
we knew the truth we stared at each other in 
absolute dejection. 

“He must have put them there, though,’" I 
said, hopelessly. “The trouble is that someone 
else has taken them away.” 

“Oh, yes; I did it,” said a strange voice at 
our side. 

I turned and found a tiny Indian standing 
near us. At first I thought it was a child, but 
looking more closely perceived the lines of age 
on his thin face and streaks of gray in his hair. 


226 


The Arrow-Maker 


Yet so small was his stature that he was no 
taller than my breast. 

He wore the ordinary San Bias tunic, striped 
with purple and yellow, a narrow band of green 
showing between the two plebeian colors. When 
first we saw him he had assumed a dignified pose 
and with folded arms was looking upon us with a 
calm and thoughtful countenance. 

‘‘Greetings, Tcharn!” exclaimed the princess, 
in a pleased and kindly tone. 

The dwarf, or liliputian, or whatever he might 
be, advanced to her with marked but somewhat 
timid respect and touched the fingers of his right 
hand to the fair brow she bent toward him. Then 
he retreated a pace and laid his hand upon his 
heart. 

“My Princess is welcome to my forest,'’ he 
said in his native tongue. 

“Is it near here, then, that you live, my 
Tcharn?” she enquired. 

“Very near, my Princess.” 

“But tell us,” I cried, unable to control my- 
self longer, “did you find many of the white 


227 


Sam Steele in Panama 

pebbles in this cavity, and did you take them all 
away 

‘‘Yes,” he answered readily, with a nod of his 
small head; “I found them and I took them 
away, and they were many.” 

“But why did you take them?” asked the 
girl, who, without knowing the value to us of 
the stones, was able to sympathize with us in 
our bitter disappointment. 

Tcharn was thoughtful. He sat upon the 
stump and for a moment studied the various faces 
turned toward him. 

“Some time ago,” said he, “a white man came 
to this valley, which our laws forbid the whites 
to enter. Perhaps he did not know that I rule 
the forest which is my home — that I am the 
Master Workman of the Techla nation. Why 
should he know that? But the white beast was 
well aware that his race is by us hated and de- 
tested” — here he cast a sinister glance at Duncan 
and myself — “and barred from our domain. He 
sneaked in like a jackal, hiding himself by day 
while by night he prowled around upon all fours, 
gathering from off the ground the pebbles which 
228 


The Arrow-Maker 

our master the king has forbidden any man to see 
or to touch. 

“Day after day I watched the white man at his 
unlawful toil. I sent tidings to Nalig-Nad, the 
king, who laughed at the cowardly intruder, and 
bade me continue to watch and to notify him if 
the beast tried to escape. 

“Finally he saw my face among the trees, and 
it frightened him. He prepared to run away, 
and buried all the pebbles he had found under 
the moss beside this stump. Then he slunk from 
the valley and I let him go; for the king had 
been notified and would look after him.” 

This relation proved to us the honesty of the 
German’s story. We knew well the rest of the 
tragic tale, and were just then more deeply inter- 
ested in the loss of the diamonds. 

“Why did you dig up the pebbles, when the 
commands of your king forbade you to touch 
them?” I asked, in a bitter tone. 

The little Indian gave me a scornful look 
and said to Ilalah: 

“Must I answer the white child, my Prin- 
cess ?” 


229 


Sam Steele in Panama 


“It will please me to have you do so/^ she 
answered. “I must tell you, Tcharn, that these 
white people are my friends. Those who love 
me will also befriend them, and treat them 
kindly.’’ 

For a time the dwarf stood motionless, frown- 
ing and staring stolidly upon the' ground. Then 
he looked up and said: 

“Does Nalig-Nad also love these whites?” 

“He hates them, and seeks their destruction,” 
Ilalah replied. 

The dwarf smiled. 

“Then they will be destroyed,” he prophesied. 

“Not so, my Tcharn,” replied the princess, 
gently. “The power of these white chieftains is 
greater than the power of Nalig-Nad.” 

Tcharn grew thoughtful again. 

“I saw them approach in a moving house, that 
seemed alive and yet was not,” he remarked. 

“That is but one proof of their might,” said 
she. 

“And is my Princess now opposed to her 
father the King?” 

“Yes, Tcharn, in this one thing.” 

230 


The Arrow-Maker 


“Then,” said he, “I will stand by your side, 
for my blood is the blood of your dead mother, 
and not the blood of Nalig-Nad.” 

“But the pebbles !” I cried, impatiently. “Tell 
us what you have done with them.” 

He turned his sombre eyes in my direction. 

“I carried the pebbles to my own dwelling,” 
he returned. “They are beautiful, and when the 
sun kisses them they borrow its light and glow 
like fireflies at dusk. I love the pebbles; so I 
took them, and they are mine.” 

This was exasperating to a degree. 

“You had no right to do that,” I protested. 
“Your king has forbidden you to gather the 
pebbles.” 

“I did not gather them ; I but took them from 
the place where the white jackal had placed 
them.” 

“The king will punish you for keeping them !” 

“The king? Ah, the king will not know. 
And we are opposed to the king just now, the 
Princess Ilalah and myself,” with a queer smile. 
“But you are strangers, and therefore you do not 


231 


Sam Steele in Panama 


know that in my forest even Nalig-Nad dare not 
molest the Master Workman/’ 

The last words were spoken confidently, and 
his prompt defiance of the king pleased me. 
“Who is this man, Ilalah ?” asked Duncan. 
“Tcharn is my mother’s cousin,” she replied, 
with frankness, “and in my mother’s veins flowed 
the most royal blood of our great ancestors. For 
this reason Tcharn is a person of consequence 
among my people. He is called the Arrow- 
Maker, and forges all the arrow-heads that the 
Techlas use. No one else is allowed to work in 
metals, which Tcharn brings from the mountains. 
In this forest — I do not know exactly where — 
is his secret work-shop and his dwelling place. 
Only one thing is forbidden him, under penalty 
of torture and death: to gather or use the loath- 
some gold which was at one time the curse of the 
Techlas. In all else Tcharn is master of the for- 
est, and the people honor and avoid him.” 

An important individual, truly, and one who 
doubtless realized his own importance. Since he 
had secured the diamonds and loved their beauty 
it would be difficult to wrest them from him. 


232 


The Arrow-Maker 


While the princess had spoken the little Techla 
had been regarding her with an uneasy look. 

“I see trouble in Ilalah’s path/’ he now re- 
marked gravely. 

‘‘Am I not the princess?” she asked, proudly. 

‘‘You are the princess, and one day you will 
succeed your father as ruler of the Techlas — if 
you live. If you do not live, Nalig-Nad’s chil- 
dren by another mother will succeed him. Will 
you live, Ilalah — you who defy the traditional 
hatred of your race for the cursed white people?” 

Ilalah flushed a little, but not with fear. She 
wanted Tcharn to understand her, though, and 
began to tell him how the white people had for 
many ages dominated the world beyond the seas, 
where they had many distinct nations that warred 
with each other. Some of the white nations were 
strong, and just, and wise; others were strong, 
but wicked and unjust. It was one of these latter 
nations, she explained, whose people were known 
as Spaniards, that had invaded the country of her 
forefathers and robbed and oppressed them ; 
therefore the Techlas, knowing no better, had 


233 


Sam Steele in Panama 


hated all of the white nations instead of that es- 
pecial one that had wronged them. 

“These friends,” she added, pointing to us, 
“have never injured us, nor have their people, 
who have themselves warred with the Spaniards, 
our old and hated enemies. Why then, should 
I condemn and hate the innocent ?” 

The dwarf listened carefully to this explana- 
tion, and without answering her appeal he said, 
in a doubtful tone: 

“The chiefs who rule the islands and the coast, 
all of whom trade with the whites, have told me 
they are all alike. They are never satisfied, but 
always want something that belongs to others.” 

I laughed at his shrewd observation, for that 
was our case, just then. We wanted the dia- 
monds. 

“Will you not permit us to see the beautiful 
pebbles?” I asked. 

Tcharn hesitated. 

“Will you let me see your moving house?” he 
demanded. 

I nearly yelled with delight. I had been 
searching my brain for some way to win this 

234 


The Arrow-Maker 


Strange personage to our side, and he promptly 
put himself in our hands by acknowledging his 
curiosity concerning our machine. But this 
proved his intelligence, too, and betrayed his me- 
chanical instinct, so that it increased our respect 
for him. 

‘We will explain to you our moving house, 
which is the most wonderful thing ever made by 
the hands of man,’’ I answered, seriously, “and we 
will also take you to ride in it, that you may 
know how and why it moves. But in return you 
must take us to your dwelling and show us the 
pebbles.” 

I was rather surprised that he consented read- 
ily. 

“It is a bargain,” said he, quietly, and Ilalah 
whispered that his word might be depended upon. 

So we all walked out of the forest to where 
we had left the car, which Tcharn first examined 
from the outside with minute intentness. 

“Here is a man who might steal my patents, 
if he lived in our world,” remarked the inventor, 
with a smile. But as there was no danger to be 
apprehended Moit'took pains to explain to the 

235 


Sam Steele in Panama 


dwarf how the machine would float and move in 
the water as well as travel upon the land, and 
then he took the little Indian inside and showed 
him all the complicated mechanism and the ar- 
rangements for promoting the comfort and con- 
venience of the passengers. 

Tcharn listened with absorbed interest, and if 
he failed to comprehend some of the technical 
terms — which is very probable, as I was obliged 
to translate most of the description and there were 
no words in the native language to express me- 
chanical terms — he allowed neither word nor look 
to indicate the fact. 

Afterward Moit started the car and gave the 
arrow-maker an impressive ride around the val- 
ley, gradually increasing the speed until we very 
nearly flew over the ground. 

When, at last, we came to a halt at the forest’s 
edge, it was evident we had won the dwarf com- 
pletely. His face was full of animation and de- 
light, and he proceeded to touch each of our fore- 
heads, and then his own heart, to indicate that we 
were henceforth friends. 


236 


The Arrow-Maker 


will ride into the forest/' he said. ‘1 
will show you the way." 

It suited us very well to hide the machine 
among the trees, for we might expect the natives 
to search for us and give us further annoyance. 
But we failed to understand how the big ma- 
chine might be guided into the tangled forest. 

Tcharn, however, knew intimately every tree 
and shrub. He directed Moit to a place where 
we passed between two giant mahoganies, after 
which a sharp turn disclosed an avenue which led 
in devious windings quite a distance into the 
wood. Sometimes we barely grazed a tree-trunk 
on either side, or tore away a mass of clinging 
vines or dodged, by a hair’s breadth, a jagged 
stump; and, after all, our journey was not a great 
way from the edge of the forest and we were 
soon compelled to halt for lack of a roadway. 

“The rest of the distance we will walk," an- 
nounced the dwarf. “Follow me, if you will." 

I shall never forget the impressiveness of this 
magnificent forest. The world and its glaring 
sunlight were shut out. Around our feet was a 
rank growth of matted vines, delicate ferns and 

237 


Sam Steele in Panama 


splendid mosses. .We stood in shadow-land, a 
kingdom of mystery and silence. The foliage 
was of such dainty tracery that only in the deep 
seas can its equal be found, and wonderful butter- 
flies winged their way between the tender plants, 
looking like dim ghosts of their gorgeous fellows 
in the outer world. Here was a vast colonade, 
the straight, slender, gray tree-trunks supporting 
a massive roof of green whose outer branches 
alone greeted the sun. Festooned from the up- 
right columns were tangled draperies of climbing 
vines which here rested in deep shadow and there 
glowed with a stray beam of brilliant sunshine 
that slyly crept through the roof. And ever, as 
we pressed on, new beauties and transformations 
were disclosed in the forest’s mysterious depths, 
until the conviction that here must be the favorite 
retreat of elfins and fays was dreamily impressed 
upon our awed minds. 

But almost before we were aware of it we 
came to a clearing, a circular place in the wood 
where great trees shot their branches into the sky 
and struggled to bridge the intervening space 
with their foliage. The vain attempt left a patch 
238 


The Arrow-Maker 


of clear sky visible, although the entire enclosure 
was more than half roofed with leaves. 

Instead of mosses and vines, a grassy sward 
carpeted the place, and now we came upon visible 
evidence that we had reached the abode of the lit- 
tle arrow-maker. 

On one side was a rude forge, built of clay, 
and supporting a bellows. In a basket beside the 
forge were hundreds of arrow-points most clev- 
erly fashioned of bronze, while heaps of fagots 
and bars of metal showed that the dwarf’s daily 
occupation was seldom neglected. 

The tools strewn about interested me greatly, 
for many were evidently of American or Euro- 
pean make; but Tcharn explained this by saying 
that his people often traded their cocoanuts and 
skins for tools and cutlery, and at these times he 
was allowed to select from the store such things 
as he required. 

“But where do you live?” asked Moit; “and 
where are the pebbles ?” 

“Come,” said the arrow-maker, briefly, and 
led us across the glade and through a little avenue 
where there was a well trodden path. 

239 


Sam Steele in Panama 


A moment later a mass of interwoven boughs 
covered with vines confronted us, and stooping 
our heads we passed through a low archway into 
wonderland. 


240 


CHAPTER XVII 


A WOODLAND WONDERLAND 

What we saw was a circular chamber formed 
of tree-trunks at the sides and roofed with masses 
of green leaves. The central trees had been 
cleared away by some means, for a large ma- 
hogany stump was used for a table and its beau- 
tifully polished surface proclaimed that it had 
been a live tree when sawed through. Also there 
were several seats formed from stumps in various 
parts of the room, and one or two benches and a 
couch had been manufactured very cleverly from 
polished mahogany wood. 

But these were by no means the chief wonder 
of the place. The walls were thickly covered with 
climbing vines, which reached in graceful festoons 
to the overhanging central boughs ; but these were 
all the creation of man rather than of nature, 
for they were formed from virgin gold. 

Also the ornaments scattered about the place, 
241 


Sam Steele in Panama 


the mountings of the furniture, swinging lamps 
and tabourettes, all were of gold, and never have 
I beheld the equal of their exquisite workman- 
ship or unique designing. The tracery of every 
leaf of the golden bower imitated accurately na- 
ture itself, the veins and stems being so perfect as 
to cause one to marvel. Not only had a vast 
amount of pure gold been used in this work, but 
years must have been consumed in its execution. 

*^Oh, Tcharn !’’ cried Ilalah, in a shocked 
tone, as soon as she had recovered from the won- 
der of her first look; ‘‘you have broken the law!” 

“It is true,” answered the arrow-maker, 
calmly. 

“Why did you do it?” she asked. 

“The yellow metal is very beautiful,” said he, 
looking upon the golden bower with loving eyes ; 
“and it is soft, and easy to work into many pretty 
forms. Years ago, when I began to gather the 
metal for my arrows and spears, I found in our 
mountains much of the forbidden gold, and it 
cried out to me to take it and love it, and I could 
not resist. So I brought it here, where no white 
man could ever see it and where not even your 
242 


A Woodland Wonderland 


father was likely to come and charge me with my 
crime. My princess, you and your friends are 
the first to know my secret, and it is safe in your 
care because you are yourself breaking the law 
and defying the king.” 

“In what way?” asked Ilalah. 

“In seeking the pebbles that are denied our 
people, and in befriending the whites who have 
been condemned by us for centuries.” 

She was silent for a moment. Then she said, 
bravely : 

“Tcharn, such laws are unjust. I will break 
them because they are my father’s laws and not 
my own. When I come to rule my people I will 
make other laws that are more reasonable — and 
then I will forgive you for your gold-work.” 

“Oh, Ilalah!” exclaimed Moit; “how can you 
rule these Indians when you have promised to 
come with me, and be my queen ?” 

She drew her hand across her eyes as if be- 
wildered, and then smiled sweetly into her lover’s 
face. 

“How easy it is to forget,” she said, “when 
one has always been, accustomed to a certain life. 

243 


Sam Steele in Panama 

I will go with you, and I will never rule my peo- 
ple/’ 

“You are wrong, my princess,” declared the 
dwarf, eagerly. “What to you is the white man’s 
land? You will rule us indeed, and that in a 
brief space of time!” 

“No, my friend,” she said, “the house that 
moves will carry me away with my white chief, 
and in a new land I will help him to rule his own 
people.” 

The arrow-maker looked at her with a 
dreamy, prophetic expression upon his wizened 
features. 

“Man knows little,” said he, “but the Serpent 
of Wisdom knows much. In my forest the ser- 
pent dwells, and it has told me secrets of the 
days to come. Soon you will be the Queen of the 
Techlas, and the White Chief will be but your 
slave. I see you ruling wisely and with justice, 
as you have promised, but still upholding the tra- 
ditions of your race. You will never leave the 
San Bias country, my Ilalah.” 

She laughed, brightly. 

“Are you then a seer, my cousin?” she asked. 

244 


A Woodland Wonderland 


The dwarf started, as if suddenly awakened, 
and his eyes lost their speculative gaze. 

“Sometimes the vision comes to me,” he said; 
“how or why I know not. But always I see 
truly.” 

Duncan Moit did not understand this dialogue, 
which had been conducted in the native tongue. 
He had been examining, with the appreciation of 
a skilled workman, the beautiful creations of the 
Indian goldsmith. But now our uneasy looks and 
the significant glances of Nux and Bryonia at- 
tracted his attention, and he turned to ask an ex- 
planation. 

The princess evaded the subject, saying 
lightly that the dwarf had been trying to excuse 
himself for breaking the law and employing the 
forbidden gold in his decorations. I turned to 
Tcharn and again demanded: 

( “Show us the pebbles.” 

At once he drew a basket woven of rushes 
from beneath a bench and turned out its contents 
on the top of the great table. A heap of stones 
was disclosed, the appearance of which at first dis- 
appointed me. They were of many shapes and 

245 


Sam Steele in Panama 


sizes and had surfaces resembling ground glass. 
In the semi gloom of the bower and amid the shin- 
ing gold tracery of its ornamentation the ‘^peb- 
bles” seemed uninteresting enough. 

But Moit pounced upon the treasure with ex- 
clamations of wonder, examining them eagerly. 
Either the German or the arrow-maker had 
chipped some of them in places, and then the 
clear, sparkling brilliancy of the diamonds was 
fully demonstrated. 

"'They are magnificent!” cried the inventor. 
"I have never seen gems so pure in color or of 
such remarkable size and perfect form.” 

I compared them mentally with the stones I 
had found in the roll of bark taken from the dead 
man’s pocket, and decided that these were indeed 
in no way inferior. 

The dwarf opened a golden cabinet and 
brought us three more diamonds. These had 
been cut into facets and polished, and were amaz- 
ingly brilliant. I am sure Tcharn had never seen 
the usual method of diamond-cutting, and per- 
haps knew nothing of the esteem in which civilized 
nations held these superb pebbles of pure carbon; 

24^ 


we 



“Diamo.nds! They are magnificent!” 




r . *f. . V" ^ 





M-W'5fe%* . •.' 

V^'^- ■ ‘ ■ .tfKJ^- ■ ' ‘■y’-msM 

. . ‘ .v?^: . - t • • 






•■ * r — ’ ^ f . • ,* - ■^ , , - W \ : • r 1 — 

V. .; / -.rjf ^ > : y . 


14 ;-y.: , :,^:ir.rfP^SfelL - 
<f. >.'■•’• • ^v-*’ • v A •' • 

^ ‘i 

r.-y ] • ‘JA 'DJ 


V >*V. 

• gf^e, — ■ ■ 






>• 




« I 





' '■ ‘ii^.*% '- 
\4,} "•.' 
C'' 1,'V 


•% • ^:, 




!»• 


.t« 


0 




r .- 


V ^ ixh I* 

‘jL^j >.. '**r J 

^ F • < •♦€■ 


- 1 


• • Tj 


. A 


t. 


><^-». 'V *. ..^ 







• V •' 


» . 


4< 



^ » • 




^ / 4 • •* « 



■^Tfc.- 


^ J 


'.ii 



7 . 


•. ►«• 


» 


;'’4v 


;<- • • 






• $ 
B ^ • 


^ i' 

• 4 ' ,'.' ' 


J f'. oV * • . • ^•U 

_*Kj: 4 .Ii-<_ **j' jfc’X' . .' * 

■ SteSE: /V-;* _■(- 




I * / 4 *' 

J *’• 


I 


». ► • I ’ 

‘lA 


- 


* i 


*s. 


4 ' I 



‘ » 


^ u 


* n- } • ' I- 


j L "' ■** *’*%' -r^^”' 


« 


. . T- 

» 





.' v> 


' i r*. ff -v. " 



A Woodland Wonderland 


SO it is remarkable that he had intuitively found 
the only means of exhibiting the full beauty of 
the stones. 

‘‘Will you give me these, my cousin?” asked 
the princess. 

For answer he swept them all into the basket 
and placed it in her hands. She turned and with 
a pleased smile gave the treasure to Moit. 

‘‘At last,” said I, with a sigh of relief, “we 
have accomplished the object of our adventure.” 

“At last,” said Duncan, “I have enough 
money to patent my inventions and to give the 
machine to the world in all its perfection !” 

“But we mus’ get out o' here. Mars' Sam,” 
observed Bry, gravely. i 

“That is true,” I replied. “And I hope now 
that we have no further reason for staying that 
we shall have little difficulty in passing the lines 
of our enemies.” 

We confided to the arrow-maker a portion of 
our adventures, and told him how Nalig-Nad had 
seemed determined to destroy us. When the re- 
lation was finished I asked : 

“Will you advise us how we can best regain 
247 


Sam Steele in Panama 


our ship without meeting the king’s warriors?” 

He considered the matter with great earnest- 
ness. Then he enquired : 

*Will your machine run safely in the waters 
of the ocean?” 

I repeated the question to Moit. 

‘"Yes,” he answered, ‘hf the water is not too 
rough.” 

‘‘Then it will be best for you to go east until 
you come to the coast of the Atlantic,” said 
Tcharn. “The tribes of the south-east will not 
oppose you if the Princess Ilalah and I are with 
you. When you get to the ocean you may travel 
in the water to your river, and so reach your 
ship.” 

This advice was so good that we at once 
adopted the suggestion. 

The arrow-maker now clapped his hands, and 
to our surprise three tall natives entered the 
bower and bowed to him. He ordered them to 
bring refreshments, and they at once turned and 
disappeared. 

“Who are these men ?” I asked. 

“They are my assistants, who help me to 
248 


A Woodland Wonderland 


forge the arrows and the spears,” he replied. 
‘The king always allows me three men, and 
their tongues are cut out so that they cannot tell 
to others the secrets of my art.” 

That explained why he was able to devote so 
much time to the execution of his gold-work. 

The servants shortly returned bearing golden 
dishes of exquisite shapes, on the polished sur- 
faces of which familiar scenes in the lives of the 
San Bias were cleverly engraved. 

We were given fresh milk, a kind of hominy 
boiled and spiced, slices of cold mutton and sev- 
eral sorts of fruits, including cocoanut meats. 

Sitting around the splendid table, which would 
have conferred distinction upon a king’s palace, 
we made a hasty but satisfying meal and then 
prepared to return to the automobile. 

I think the little arrow-maker was as eager to 
ride in the wonderful machine as to guide us on 
our way; but we were very glad to have him 
with us, and he sat quietly absorbed by the side 
of Duncan Moit and watched the inventor di- 
rect the course of his automobile over the diffi- 
cult pathway between the trees. 

249 


Sam Steele in Panama 


We reached level ground without accident and 
then, turning to the left, increased our speed and 
travelled rapidly over the now familiar plains in 
the direction of the sea. 

We followed the edge of the forest as well as 
we could, for here in the uplands the numerous 
streams were less difficult to cross ; but soon after 
we had passed beyond the point of our first ex- 
cursion in this direction we came upon a good 
sized river sweeping out from the wood, which 
Tcharn told us flowed into the Atlantic further 
toward the north. There were dangerous rapids 
in it, however, so we decided it would be safer to 
continue on to the coast than to trust ourselves 
to this treacherous current. 

And now we soon began to pass the cocoanut 
groves, while groups of natives paused to stare at 
us wonderingly. But we made no halt, for the 
plains were smooth and easy to travel upon and 
the less we had to do with the natives the better 
we were off. 

A mile inland from the ocean the dwarf told 
us were many villages. We decided to rush past 
these quickly to avoid being stopped, and Tcharn 
250 


A Woodland Wonderland 


agreed that it would be wise. Explanations 
would be sure to delay us, even if these tribes had 
not already been warned by messengers from Na- 
lig-Nad to capture us if we came their way. So 
when we reached the villages we shot by them like 
a flash, and the sensation we created was laugh- 
able. 

Men, women and children — even the dogs — 
rushed from the path of the dreadful flying mon- 
ster in a panic of fear, and we heard their screams 
and wild cries long after the houses had been left 
far behind. These tribes may be just as brave 
as the ones farther north, but their natures are 
not so stolid and self-possessed. 

The ocean came into view suddenly, and we 
found the banks so high above the beach that we 
were obliged to turn north until we reached a 
small river, the water of which was deep enough 
to float us out to sea. 

Here we bade farewell, with much regret, to 
our arrow-maker, and Duncan generously pre- 
sented him with such wrenches and other tools 
as could be spared from his outfit. These pres- 
ents gave the dwarf much delight, and for my 

251 


Sam Steele in Panama 


part I was so grateful for his assistance that I 
gave him my silver Avatch, and showed him how 
to tell the time of day by following the move- 
ments of its hands. He understood it very 
quickly and I knew that he would obtain much 
pleasure from its possession. 

It was little enough, indeed, for the transfer 
of the diamonds, which were worth a fortune; 
but the gems were valueless to him, even had he 
been able to own them without the risk of for- 
feiting his life. 

We left the arrow-maker earnestly watching 
us from the bank as we paddled swiftly down the 
stream; but soon our attention was directed to 
other matters and we forgot him. 

When we reached the ocean we headed out 
boldly, but the long waves rolled pretty high for 
us, we soon found. It was not at all a rough sea, 
yet Moit was forced to acknowledge that his in- 
vention was not intended for ocean travel. Af- 
ter we had tossed about for a time we went 
ashore, finding to our joy that the beach was 
broad and sandy, and the tide was out. 

This was the best luck that could possibly have 
252 


A Woodland Wonderland 


happened to us, and we sped along the sands at a 
fine rate of speed, resolved to make the most of 
our opportunities. 

Tust before we reached the northern forest, 
however, we found that king Nalig-Nad had been 
thoughtful enough to anticipate the possibility of 
our coming this way and had sent a large force 
to oppose us. They were crowded thickly upon 
the beach and we were given the choice of meet- 
ing them or driving into the ocean again. 

I rather favored the latter course, but Dun- 
can’s face was set and stern, and I saw that he 
was intent on running them down. 

He increased our rate of speed until we were 
fairly flying, and a moment more we bumped into 
the solid ranks of the Indians and sent them tum- 
bling in every direction — not so much on account 
of the machine’s weight as its velocity. 

Those who were not knocked over made haste 
to get out of our way, and in a few seconds they 
were all behind us and we could slacken our ter- 
rible pace with safety. 

We had passed the mouths of several streams 
on our way, and circled some remarkably broad 

253 


Sam Steele in Panama 


and pretty bays, so now we began to look for the 
river in which our wrecked ship was stranded. 
One broad inlet we paddled up for a way, but it 
led straight into the wood; so we backed out 
again, and the next time were more successful; 
for soon we were able to discern the Gladys H. 
lying on her side, and knew we were near our 
journey’s end. 

Ilalah told us that small ships sometimes came 
to this river to trade with her people for skins 
and tortoise-shell; but none had been there for 
several months. 

At first I thought that our wreck was entirely 
deserted, but after a time Uncle Naboth’s pudgy 
form appeared at the stern, waving his red hand- 
kerchief in, frantic greeting; a moment later our 
sailors flocked to his side, and then a lusty cheer 
of welcome saluted our grateful ears. 


254 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE PRINCESS DISAPPEARS 

We were given a joyful welcome by our com- 
rades aboard the wreck, you may be sure. Ned 
was there, a smile mantling his rugged face as the 
auto came alongside and he assisted us to make 
fast and mount to the slanting deck of the ship. 

Uncle Naboth's eyes were big and staring as 
our dainty Indian princess came aboard; but I 
could see that he was pleased with her beauty and 
modest demeanor. 

No questions were asked us until we were all 
comfortably stowed on deck and the automobile 
had been hoisted over the side by the willing sail- 
ors and set in its old position. They were glad 
enough to see us safely returned without bother- 
ing us with questioning; but I knew of their 
eagerness to hear of our adventures and so took 
an early opportunity to remark : 

255 


Sam Steele in Panama 

‘‘Well, Uncle Naboth and Ned, we’ve got the 
diamonds.” 

“Sure?” 

“Sure enough.” 

I brought the basket and allowed them to in- 
spect the treasure, which they did with wonder 
and a sort of awe, for they had little to say. 

“How much is the bunch worth?” asked my 
uncle, trying to be indifferent. 

“Why, we are all quite ignorant of their 
value,” I replied; “but Moit and I both think we 
have secured a snug fortune for each one of us 
four who are interested in the division. We 
couldn’t have done anything at all without the 
automobile, though, so I am going to give Dun- 
can a part of my share.” 

“I won’t take it,” declared Moit. “We made 
a fair and square bargain, to share alike, and I 
mean to live up to it.” 

“But you need the money more than we do,” 
I protested, “for you’ve got to build a factory to 
manufacture your machines and also to make a 
home for Ilalah. She is a prize we don’t share 
in, but we’d like to contribute to her happiness, 
256 


The Princess Disappears 

SO I shall suggest to Ned and Uncle Naboth that 
you take a half of all the diamonds and we will 
divide the other half.” 

‘‘Agreed!” cried my uncle and Ned, both to- 
gether, and although Duncan objected in a 
rather pig-headed way I declared that we had 
fully made up our minds and he had nothing to 
say about the matter. 

Then we told oui story, rather briefly at first, 
for it would take some time to give our friends all 
the details of our adventures. Uncle was very 
proud of the way Bryonia and Nux had behaved, 
and told them so in his outspoken fashion. The 
honest fellows could have desired no higher re- 
ward. 

After this Ned told me of his trip. On reach- 
ing the ocean he had rigged a mast and sail on the 
long boat and before a brisk breeze had soon 
reached Manzanillo Bay and arrived at Colon 
harbor within a half day. 

Colon is a primitive town built upon a low 
coral island, but being the Atlantic terminal of 
the great canal it possessed an office of the Cen- 
tral and South American Telegraph Company, 

257 


Sam Steele in Panama 


SO that Ned was able to send a cable message by 
way of Galveston to Mr. Harlan. 

He got an answer the next day, saying that 
the Carmenia, one of the Company’s ships, was 
due at Cristobal in a few days, and further in- 
structions as to the disposition of the wrecked 
cargo would be cabled me on her arrival. Cris- 
tobal was a port adjoining Colon, and I remem- 
bered to have heard that the Carmenia was soon 
to come home from the Pacific with a light cargo ; 
so I judged it would be Mr. Harlan’s intention 
to have her take our structural steel on board and 
carry it on to San Pedro. 

All we could do now was to wait, and instead 
of waiting in unhealthy Colon Ned wisely de- 
cided to return to the wreck and report to me. 

They had begun to worry over us and to fear 
the Indians had murdered us, so it was a great 
relief to them when we came back safe and suc- 
cessful from our perilous adventure. 

Uncle Naboth admired Ilalah more and more 
as he came to know her, and he told Duncan 
with great seriousness that she was worth more 
than all the diamonds in the world, to which 
258 


The Princess Disappears 

absurd proposition the inventor gravely agreed. 
But indeed we were all fond of the charming 
girl and vied with one another to do her honor. 
Even stolid Ned Britton rowed across to the 
marshes in the afternoon and returned with a 
gorgeous boquet of wild flowers to place in the 
Indian maid’s cabin — formerly his own cabin, 
but gladly resigned for her use. 

Ilalah accepted all the attentions showered 
upon her with simple, unaffected delight, and con- 
fided to us that she had altered entirely her old 
judgment of the whites and now liked them very 
much. 

“They must be my people, after this,” she said, 
with a sad smile, “because I have left the Techlas 
forever.” 

At dinner Bryonia outdid himself as a chef 
and provided for the menu every delicacy the 
ship afforded. Ilalah ate little, but enjoyed the 
strange foods and unusual cooking. After din- 
ner we sat on the deck in the splendid moonlight 
and recited at length our adventures, until the 
hour grew late. 

When I went to bed I carried the diamonds to 


259 


Sam Steele in Panama 


my locker, putting them carefully away where no 
one could get at them until we left the wreck and 
the time came to make the division. The ship 
was very safe for the present. Until another se- 
vere gale occurred to bring the waves up the river 
there was no danger of her going to pieces, as she 
held firmly to her mud bank, weighted on her 
open planks with the great mass of steel in the 
hold. Her bottom was like a crate, but her upper 
works seemed as firm and substantial as ever. 

Ilalah’s cabin was on the starboard side, but 
in spite of the ship’s listing her window was four 
or five feet above the surface of the river. She 
bade us a sweet good-night in her pretty broken 
English, and an hour later everyone on board was 
enjoying peaceful slumbers and I, for my part, 
was dreaming of the fortune we had so unex- 
pectedly secured. 

Suddenly a cry aroused me. I sat up and 
listened but could hear no further sound. Abso- 
lute silence reigned throughout the ship. Yet the 
cry still rang in my ears, and the recollection of 
it unnerved me. 


260 


The Princess Disappears 

While I hesitated a knock came to my door, 
and I got up and lighted a candle. 

Moit was standing outside in the saloon. 
His face was white but as undecided in expression 
as my own. 

‘‘Did you hear anything, Sam?’' he asked. 

“Yes.” 

“Was it a cry for help?” 

“That, or a woman’s scream, Duncan.” 

“Come with me,” he said, and I followed him 
to the door of Ilalah’s cabin. 

Two or three loud knockings failed to arouse 
any response. I turned the handle, found the 
door unlocked, and threw it open. 

The room was empty. 

I turned my flickering candle in every di- 
rection, lighting up the smallest cranny, as if the 
girl could be hidden in a rat-hole. The window 
stood wide open, and the cool night breeze came 
through it. 

I turned toward Duncan, who stood in the 
middle of the room staring at the floor. As my 
gaze followed his I saw several of the blue beads 
Ilalah had worn scattered over the carpet. 

261 


Sam Steele in Panama 


“It is Nalig-Nad/’ he muttered. “The San 
Bias have stolen my princess 

“What’s up, boys?” asked Uncle Naboth. 
He was standing in the doorway clad in a suit of 
pajamas that were striped like a convict’s, only in 
more gorgeous colors. 

“The Indians have stolen Ilalah and carried 
her away,” I answered. 

I am afraid Uncle Naboth swore. He is a 
mild mannered old gentleman, but having taken a 
strong liking for the beautiful girl he perhaps 
could find no other way, on the impulse of the mo- 
ment, to express his feelings. 

“Well,” he remarked, after we had looked 
blankly into one another’s faces for a time, “we 
must get her back again, that’s all.” 

“Of course, sir,” agreed Duncan, rousing him- 
self. “We will go at once.” 

“What time is it?” I asked. 

“Three o’clock,” answered my uncle, 
promptly. 

“Then let us wait until morning,” I advised. 
“The Indians already have a good start of us and 
there would be no chance to overtake them before 
262 


The Princess Disappears 

they regain the king’s village. We must be cau- 
tious and lay our plans carefully if we hope to 
succeed.” 

“Perhaps you are right,” returned Duncan, 
wearily. “But I swear to you, Sam, that I will 
find Ilalah and bring her back with me, or perish 
in the attempt.” 

I smiled at his theatric manner, but Uncle 
Naboth said seriously: 

“I don’t blame you a bit, sir. That girl is 
worth a heap o’ trouble, and you can count on 
me to help you to the last gasp.” 

“Well, well,” said I, impatiently, “let us get 
dressed and go on deck to talk it over.” I well 
knew there would be no more sleep for us that 
night, and although I was not in love with the 
lost princess I was as eager to effect her rescue as 
Moit himself. 

“But I must warn you, gentlemen,” I con- 
tinued, “that you have to deal with the wiliest and 
fiercest savage in existence, and if we venture into 
his dominions again the chances of our ever com- 
ing out alive are mighty slim.” 

“All right, Sam,” retorted Uncle Naboth, 
263 


Sam Steele in Panama 


cheerfully; ‘VeVe got to take those chances, my 
lad, so what’s the use of grumbling?” 

“If you’re afraid, Sam — ” began Moit, stiffly. 

“Oh, get out!” was my peevish reply. “I 
may be afraid, and small wonder if I am ; but you 
know very well I’ll go with you. So get your 
togs on, both of you, and I’ll meet you on deck.” 


264 


CHAPTER XIX 


WE ATTEMPT A RESCUE 

The entire ship’s company was aroused by this 
time, and it amused me to find that every man 
jack, down to the commonest sailor, was tremen- 
dously indignant and most properly incensed be- 
cause Nalig-Nad had dared to steal his own 
daughter — the successor to his throne — from the 
white men with whom she had fled. 

Ned Britton’s plan was to arm our entire com- 
pany ‘‘to the teeth” and march in solid ranks 
through the forest until we came to the king’s vil- 
lage, which he figured lay about opposite the point 
where our ship had stranded. Once at the village 
we could surprise the place, capture Ilalah, and 
bear her in triumph back to the wreck. 

There were several objections to Ned’s opti- 
mistic plan. In the first place we did not know 
the forest, and the Indians did. They could hide 
behind the trees and pick us off with their arrows 
265 


Sam Steele in Panama 


before we could use our fire-arms ; or they might 
ambush us, and annihilate our band. Moreover, 
we were not sure Ilalah had been taken directly to 
the king’s village. They might have hidden her 
somewhere else. 

“It’s another case of automobile, Mr. Moit,” 
declared Uncle Naboth. “If we’re a-goin’ to get 
that girl you’ll have to use the convertible, as 
sure as fate.” 

“There is no doubt of that,” returned the in- 
ventor, promptly. “I have determined to start as 
soon as it is daylight.” 

“What is your idea, Duncan?” I asked. 

“Simply to enter the country of the Techlas, 
show them a bold and fearless front, find out 
where the princess is, and then rescue her in some 
way. I’m afraid they will treat her badly, be- 
cause she defied them and ran away with me.” 

“But she is to be their next ruler, after Nalig- 
Nad is dead,” said I. 

“Yes, if she outlives him. But the king has 
two other children, and he may prefer one of 
them to rule.” 

“That’s a fact,” I answered. “I’ve seen them. 

266 


We Attempt a Rescue 

And Nalig-Nad must have been furious at Ilalah 
for favoring the hated whites.’’ 

“There is no time to lose,” continued Duncan, 
nervously. “We must start as soon as possible 
and make our plans on the way. Who will go 
with me?” 

Everyone wanted to go, of course ; but finally 
it was settled that Uncle Naboth and I, with Nux 
and Bryonia, should accompany Duncan Moit in 
the automobile. If we did not return within 
twenty-four hours then Ned Britton was to land 
his sailors and march quickly through the forest 
to our rescue. This arrangement was the best 
we could think of, and when I frankly told the 
men that this hazardous duty would not be forced 
upon them, since the adventure was wholly out- 
side their province as seamen, they one and all 
declared they would “see us through” or die in 
the attempt. 

Only Dick Lombard, whose arm had been 
broken, and an old sailor with a bruised knee 
were to be left behind, that they might care for 
the ship in our absence. 

“No one can steal the cargo, anyhow ; it’s too 
267 


Sam Steele in Panama 


heavy,” I remarked; ‘'and if the Indians man- 
age to do us up entirely Mr. Harlan will still be 
able to get his steel beams. So we need not 
worry over the ship.” 

It was a desperate enterprise, and we knew it ; 
but so strong was our admiration for the Princess 
of the Techlas that we did not hesitate to attempt 
in her behalf all that brave men might be capable 
of. 

At the first break of day we got the automo- 
bile over the side and safely launched it. There 
was not a moment’s unnecessary delay, and as 
Duncan was now familiar with the river channel 
we were soon paddling at our best speed up the 
river. 

By the time the red rays of the rising sun 
gleamed over the water we had passed the two 
hillocks and reached the southern tributary that 
led into the land of the Techlas. 

We saw no Indians in the forest this time. 
Either it was too early for them to be abroad or 
they had assembled inland for some purpose. 
The forest was deserted. 

Our progress was, of course, much slower 
268 


We Attempt a Rescue 

than on land. I think the automobile paddled 
about eight miles an hour in still water, but as we 
now had to stem a current we made less time than 
that. But distances are not great in Panama, 
where the isthmus has a breadth of only some 
fifty miles, so that we were not long in passing 
the northern forest and coming to the coastal 
plains. 

We left the river at the same spot as before, 
where the bank was low and shelving ; for in talk- 
ing over our plans we had decided to make di- 
rectly for Nalig-Nad’s own village. It was rea- 
sonable to suppose that Ilalah had been first taken 
there, it being' the nearest point to the ship from 
whence they had stolen her. The king might in- 
tend to hide her, presently, even if he permitted 
his rebellious daughter to live; but we judged that 
he would not expect us to give chase so soon. 
That we would dare venture into his dominions 
a second time the astute monarch would hesitate 
to believe. 

We relied much upon the promptness with 
which we had acted, and although we were forced 
to travel by a roundabout route we ought, with 
269 


Sam Steele in Panama 


good luck, to reach the king’s village by the mid- 
dle of the forenoon. 

Once on the broad and level plains Moit al- 
lowed his machine to do its best. We knew there 
were no obstructions in the way, so we made a 
wonderful dash across the country. 

No effort was made by the San Bias to op- 
pose us or interfere with our progress. We ob- 
served no warriors at all, and the few farmers we 
passed scarcely paused in their labors long enough 
to stare at us. 

When we came to Ogo’s village, however, we 
saw by means of the glass that the place was 
swarming with Indians, who were as busy and 
excited as bees in a hive. This puzzled us, and 
made us fear the princess might be in this place 
instead of the village farther on. But we decided 
to stick to our first programme, so we circled 
around the town to the north and continued on 
our way. 

Much faster than we had covered the distance 
before we now fled over the plain, and soon the 
enclosure became visible and our journey was 
almost over. 


270 


We Attempt a Rescue 

A great jagged section of the wall had been 
blown up by the explosion, wrecking some of the 
huts at the same time ; but as we drew nearer we 
discovered that Nalig-Nad had caused a big ditch 
to be dug, in the form of a half moon, reaching 
from one end of the broken wall to the other. 
This ditch was evidently made on our account, 
and as it circled outward into the plain it pre- 
vented most effectually our entering the enclosure 
with the automobile. 

We smiled at so childish an attempt to bar 
us from the village, but it informed us plainly 
that the king had anticipated our return and 
feared us, which knowledge served to encourage 
us very much. 

We halted the machine outside the ditch, a 
hundred yards or so from the wall, and then pro- 
ceeded to take careful observation of the condition 
of affairs at the village. 

Our arrival had created no apparent excite- 
ment. There were no crowds to be seen and the 
few natives, men or women, who stalked across 
the space that was visible within the wall, going 
from one building to another, merely turned their 
271 


Sam Steele in Panama 


faces toward us for a moment and then continued 
on their way. A woman sat at one side of the 
gap milking a goat; another near her was hang- 
ing some newly washed tunics on the edge of the 
broken wall to dry in the sun ; but neither of these 
gave us more than a glance or allowed us to in- 
terrupt their occupation. 

This apathy was mystifying. Surely we had 
created enough excitement at the time we left the 
king’s village to ensure a degree of interest in 
our return. If the savages imagined their puny 
ditch any protection they were likely to find them- 
selves much mistaken. 

Presently we saw something that aroused us 
to action. Ilalah appeared, crossing the enclos- 
ure from one of the side huts to the king’s palace. 
Her hands were bound firmly behind her back 
and her eyes were covered with a thick scarf 
which effectually blindfolded her. She was led 
and pushed along by two sour visaged old women, 
who showed their princess scant courtesy. 

Moit swore roundly under his breath and I 
myself was filled with indignation at the poor 
girl’s condition; at the same time we were grati- 
272 


We Attempt a Rescue 

fied to know we had found her by coming 
promptly to the right place. 

“Now/’ said Duncan, grimly, “we know what 
to do.” 

“What is it?” I enquired. 

“They will bring her out again, sooner or 
later,” he answered, “and then we must make 
a dash, seize her, regain the automobile, and fly 
back to the ship.” 

“Easy enough !” ejaculated Uncle Naboth, ad- 
miringly. 

The women had finished milking and hanging 
out their clothes. Just now the courtyard seemed 
deserted. 

“This is our chance,” cried Moit. “Follow 
me, all of you except Mr. Perkins. He must 
stay to guard the machine and to wave us a sig- 
nal when Ilalah appears. We will creep up to 
the broken wall and hide behind it until the prin- 
cess comes back. Then we will make a rush all 
together and capture her before the Indians know 
what we are about. Are you all armed?” 

We were, and ready. 

Duncan leaped from the car and we followed 

273 


Sam Steele in Panama 


him. Then, bounding across the narrow ditch, 
we ran silently but quickly to a position behind 
the wall, where those inside could not see us. 
There we crouched, panting, to await Uncle Na- 
both’s signal. 


274 


CHAPTER XX 


OUTWITTED 

The silence of death seemed to reign in the 
little village. All life had for the moment ceased, 
and gradually this extraordinary fact impressed 
me ominously. 

“Where are all the people?” I whispered to 
Moit. 

“I can't imagine,” he answered. 

“Guess dey in de co'te-yard of de palace,” 
said Bry, who with Nux stood just beside us. 
“Princess bein' judged; ev'body lookin' on.” 

That seemed plausible ; and it was a condition 
especially favorable to our plans; so we waited 
with suppressed excitement, our eager eyes upon 
the automobile, until suddenly we saw Uncle Na- 
both spring to his feet and wave his red hand- 
kerchief. 

At the signal we four rose as one man and 
275 


Sam Steele in Panama 


dashed through the gap into the enclosure, each 
with a revolver held fast in either hand. 

As I bounded over the loose rubbish some- 
thing suddenly caught me and threw me violently 
to the ground, where I rolled over once or twice 
and then found myself flat upon my back with a 
gigantic Indian pressing his knee against my 
chest. 

I heard a roar from Moit and answering 
shouts from our two blacks, and turning my head 
saw them struggling with a band of natives who 
surrounded them on every side. 

Indeed, our conquest was effected much sooner 
than I can describe the event on paper, and within 
a few moments all four of us stood before our 
captors disarmed and securely bound. 

I own I was greatly humiliated by the clever 
deception practiced upon us by Nalig-Nad. The 
wily king had foreseen our arrival and using 
Ilalah as a bait had ambushed us so neatly that 
we had no chance to fight or to resist our capture. 
The victory was his, and it was complete. 

Stay; there was Uncle Naboth yet to be reck- 
oned with. I could see him still standing in the 
276 


Outwitted 


car glaring with amazement at the scene enacted 
within the enclosure. 

The Indians saw him, too, and with wild and 
triumphant yells a score of them rushed out and 
made for the car. But my uncle was warned and 
had calmly laid a number of revolvers upon the 
seat beside him. 

With a weapon in either hand the old gen- 
tleman blazed away at the Techlas as soon as they 
approached, doing such deadly execution that the 
natives were thrown into confusion and held back, 
uncertain what to do. 

Having emptied one brace of revolvers Mr. 
Perkins hurled them at the heads of his assailants 
and picked up another pair. I wondered that the 
San Bias did not shoot him down with arrows, or 
impale him on a spear, for the top was down and 
he was unprotected from such missiles ; but doubt- 
less they had been instructed to capture him alive 
and had not been prepared for such a vigorous re- 
sistance. 

Presently an Indian who had made his way 
around to the opposite side put his hand on the 
rail and leaped lightly into the car; but my uncle 


Sam Steele in Panama 


turned in a flash and seized the fellow at the 
waist in his powerful arms. Lifting the aston- 
ished Techla high in the air Uncle Naboth flung 
him bodily into the furious crowd before him, 
tumbling a number of his foes to the ground with 
this living catapult. 

But such magniflcent strength and courage 
was without avail. Before uncle could seize his 
revolvers again a dozen warriors had leaped into 
the car beside him and grasped him so firmly that 
further struggles were useless. The little man 
collapsed immediately and was dragged out and 
brought to where we had been watching him in 
wonder and admiration. 

‘‘Good for you, Uncle!” I cried. “If we 
could have managed to put up such a fight it 
might have been a different story.” 

He smiled at us cheerily. 

“Hain’t had so much fun, my lads, since 
Polly had the measles,” he panted ; “but it couldn’t 
last, o’ course, ’cause I’m all opt o’ trainin’.” 

And now that all our party had been captured, 
transforming powerful enemies into helpless vic- 
tims, King Nalig-Nad appeared before us with a 
278 


Outwitted 


calm countenance and ordered us taken to one of 
the huts, there to remain in confinement to await 
his pleasure concerning our disposal. 

‘Who’s this feller?” asked Uncle Naboth, 
looking hard at the king. 

“It is Nalig-Nad,” I replied, rather depressed 
by our hard luck. 

“Why, hello, Naddie, old boy — glad to meet 
you!” said Mr. Perkins, advancing as far as his 
captors would let him and holding out one of his 
broad, fat hands. 

The king regarded him silently. It was the 
first time he had had an opportunity to inspect 
this addition to our former party. But he paid 
no attention to the outstretched hand. 

“Know your daughter well,” continued Uncle 
Naboth, unabashed at the marked coolness with 
which his friendly advances were met; “she’s a 
fine gal, Nalig; oughter be proud o’ her, old 
chap !” 

With this he began to chuckle and poked the 
king jovially in his royal ribs, causing the stern 
visaged monarch to jump backward with a cry of 
mingled indignation and rage. This so pleased 
279 


Sam Steele in Panama 


my uncle that his chuckle increased to a cough, 
which set him choking until he was purple in the 
face. 

The king watched this exhibition with amaze- 
ment ; but when his prisoner recovered with start- 
ling abruptness and wiped the tears of merriment 
from his eyes, the barbarian gave a disdainful 
grunt and walked away to his palace. He was 
followed by his band of attendant chiefs, whom I 
recognized as his former counsellors. 

I looked around for Ilalah, but she had dis- 
appeared the moment we rushed into the enclos- 
ure, having doutbless been dragged away by her 
attendants as soon as she had served the purpose 
of luring us into the trap. 

We were now taken to one of the huts built 
against the wall and thrust through a doorway 
with scant ceremony. It was merely a one- 
roomed affair with thick walls and no furniture 
but a clay bench at the back. The only aperture 
was the doorway. Several stout warriors, well 
armed and alert, ranged themselves before this 
opening as a guard. 

We were not bound, for having lost all our 
280 


Outwitted 


weapons, including even our pocket-knives, we 
were considered very helpless. 

‘‘I don’t like the looks of this thing,” I re- 
marked, when we had seated ourselves quite so- 
berly in a row on the mud bench. 

''Bad box, sure ’nough. Mars’ Sam,” said 
Bryonia, with a sigh. 

"I hope they won’t touch the machine,” ob- 
served Moit, nervously. "I don’t mind what they 
do to me if they let the automobile alone.” 

"That’s rubbish,” said I in a petulant tone; 
"they couldn’t run it to save their necks. Don’t 
worry, old man.” 

"I s’pose we won’t have much use for an auto- 
merbeel in the course of a jiffy or two,” added 
my uncle, cheerfully. 

"Oh, I depend a good deal upon Ned and his 
men,” I replied. "He will be sure to come to 
our rescue early to-morrow morning.” 

"Too late, den. Mars’ Sam,” muttered Nux. 
"Dat wicked king ain’t goin’ let us lib long, I 
’spect.” 

"Then why did he put us here?” I demanded. 


281 


Sam Steele in Panama 


he intended to kill us quickly he’d have mur- 
dered us on the spot.” 

“There was nothing to prevent his doing that, 
most certainly,” said Moit, eagerly adopting the 
suggestion. 

This aspect of the affair was really encourag- 
ing. So elastic is hope in the breasts of doomed 
men that we poor creatures sat there for an hour 
or more and tried to comfort ourselves with the 
thought that a chance for escape might yet arise. 
It was pitiful, now that I look back upon it; but 
at the moment the outlook did not appear to us 
especially gloomy. 

I do not believe that any regret for having 
followed the Indian girl and tried to rescue her 
entered into the mind of any one of the party. 
Ilalah had stood by us and it was our duty to 
stand by her, even had not Moit been so infatu- 
ated by her beauty that he could not be contented 
without her. 

Being a boy and less stolid than my elders, I 
caught myself wondering if I should ever behold 
the handsome ship my father was building, and 
sighed at the thought that I might never stand 
282 


Outwitted 


Upon its deck after all the ambitious plans we had 
laid for the future. There was a little comfort in 
the thought that all the diamonds were safe in 
the locker of the wreck and that Ned would look 
after them and carry my share as well as Uncle 
Naboth’s to my father. But we were likely to 
pay a good price for the treasure we had wrested 
from the San Bias. 

Midday arrived and passed. Food was 
brought to our guard but none was given to us. 
We were not especially hungry, but this neglect 
was ominous. It meant that we had either not 
long to live or our foes intended to starve us. 
We tried to believe that the latter was the cor- 
rect solution of the problem. 

Soon after noon, however, all uncertainty van- 
ished. Our guards entered, commanded by one 
of the chiefs, and said we were to be taken to 
judgment. They prepared us for the ordeal by 
tying our hands behind our backs with thongs, 
so securely that there was no way to slip the 
bonds. Then they fastened us together in a 
string by an original method. 

A coil, of dressed skin was brought and an 
283 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Indian held one end while another made a slip- 
noose and threw it over Duncan’s head. A sec- 
ond slip-noose was placed around Bryonia’s neck, 
a third around that of Uncle Naboth, a fourth 
around Nux and the fifth around my own neck. 
There was still enough of the coil remaining for 
a second guard to hold — and there we were. If 
any one of us attempted to run, or even to strug- 
gle, he would only tighten his noose, and perhaps 
those of the others, and risk a choking. 

It wasn^t a bad method of keeping us orderly 
and meek, and we were not at all pleased with 
the arrangement, I assure you. 

When we had been thus secured the chief — 
who, by the way, was a ‘‘green chief” — ordered 
us sternly to march; and so, like a gang of 
chained convicts, we tramped from the gloomy 
hut and passed out into the courtyard. 


284 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE SACRIFICE 

The elaborate preparations made for our 
^‘judgment” were certainly flattering; but we 
were in no mood to appreciate the mocking at- 
tentions of the San Bias. 

The open space of the enclosure in front of 
the palace was filled with a crowd of silent In- 
dians, so many being present that we knew they 
must have gathered from all parts of the terri- 
tory. 

Our guards led us through the close ranks 
of these spectators to a clear place near the cen- 
ter, where King Nalig-Nad sat upon a bench 
with a score of his favorite green chiefs ranged 
just behind him. At the sides of this interest- 
ing group several women, all of whom had green 
in their tunics, squatted upon the ground. At 
the king’s feet were the same pretty boy and girl 
285 


Sam Steele in Panama 

I had seen on my first presentation to the poten- 
tate. 

But this was not all. In the open space at 
the right of the king stood Ilalah between two 
stout guards. The girl’s hands were bound be- 
hind her back as ours were, but she was no longer 
blindfolded. Her proud and beautiful face wore 
a smile as we were ranged opposite her, and she 
called aloud in English in a clear voice : 

‘‘Have fortitude, my White Chief. In death 
as in life Ilalah is your own.” 

A murmur of reproach came from those of 
the San Bias who understood her speech. The 
king looked at his daughter with a dark frown 
mantling his expressive features. 

“And I belong to Ilalah,” replied Duncan 
Moit, composedly, as he smiled back at his sweet- 
heart. 

Indeed, I was proud of the courage of all my 
comrades on this trying occasion. Bryonia and 
Nux were dignified and seemingly indifferent. 
Uncle Naboth smiling and interested in each phase 
of the dramatic scene, and the inventor as cool 
in appearance as if this gathering of the nation 
286 


The Sacrifice 


was intended to do him honor. I do not know 
how I myself bore the ordeal, but I remember 
that my heart beat so fast and loud that I was 
greatly annoyed for fear someone would discover 
its rebellious action and think me afraid. Per- 
haps I really was afraid; but I was greatly ex- 
cited, too, for it occurred to me that I was facing 
the sunshine and breathing the soft southern air 
for almost the last time in my life. I was sorry 
for myself because I was so young and had so 
much to live for. 

Ilalah, it seemed, was to be judged first be- 
cause her rank was higher than that of the stran- 
gers. 

The king himself accused her, and when he 
began to speak his voice was composed and his 
tones low and argumentative. But as he pro- 
ceeded his speech grew passionate and fierce, 
though he tried to impress upon his people the 
idea that it was his duty that obliged him to con- 
demn Ilalah to punishment. However that plea 
might impress the Techlas it did not deceive us in 
the least. It was father against daughter, but 
perhaps the king^s hatred of the whites had turned 
287 


Sam Steele in Panama 


him against his first born, or else he preferred 
that the pretty girl nestling at his* feet should 
succeed him. 

“Lords and chiefs of the Techlas,” he said, 
speaking in his native language, “the Princess 
Ilalah has broken our laws and outraged the 
traditions that have been respected in our nation 
for centuries. We have always hated the white 
race, and with justice. We have forbidden them 
to enter our dominions and refused to show them 
mercy if they fell into our hands. But this girl, 
whose birth and station are so high that she is 
entitled to succeed me as ruler of the Techlas, 
has violated our most sacred sentiments. She 
has favored and protected a band of white in- 
vaders; she has dared to love their chief, who 
has lied to us and tricked us; she has even for- 
gotten her maidenly dignity and run away with 
him, preferring him to her own people. It is the 
law that I, her father, cannot judge or condemn 
her, although it is my privilege to condemn all 
others. Therefore I place her fate in the hands 
of my noble chiefs. Tell me, what shall be the 


288 


The Sacrifice 

fate of the false Techla? What shall be Ilalah’s 
punishment?’’ 

The chiefs seemed undecided and half fright- 
ened at the responsibility thus thrust upon them. 
They turned and consulted one another in whis- 
pers, casting uncertain looks at the princess, who 
smiled back at them without a trace of fear upon 
her sweet face. 

Standing close beside Ilalah I now discovered 
our old friend Tcharn, the goldsmith and arrow- 
maker, whose eager face showed his emotion 
at the peril of his friend. His dark eyes roved 
anxiously from the girl to her judges, and it was 
plain to see that he was fearful of her condemna- 
tion. 

I myself tried to read the decision of the 
chiefs from their faces, and decided that while 
Ilalah was doubtless a great favorite with them 
all, they could find no excuse for her conduct. 
Their conference lasted so long that the king 
grew impatient, and his animosity became more 
and more apparent as he glowered menacingly 
upon the girl and then glanced appealingly at 
her judges, who tried to avoid his eyes. 

289 


Sam Steele in Panama 

Finally, however, the conference came to an 
end. 

A tall, lean chief whose gray hairs and the 
prominence of the green stripes in his tunic evi- 
dently entitled him to be the spokesman, stepped 
forward and bowed low before the king. 

“Mighty Ruler of the Techlas,” he said, “we 
have weighed well the strange conduct of the 
Princess Ilalah and desire to ask her a question.” 

“The speech of the accused may not be con- 
sidered,” said the king, gruffly. 

“It affects not her condemnation, but rather 
her punishment,” returned the other. 

“Then proceed.” 

“Princess,” continued the old man, speaking 
in a kindly tone as he addressed the young girl, 
“if in our mercy we spare your life will you 
promise to forsake your white chief and yield 
him and his followers to our vengeance?” 

“No!” she answered, proudly. 

Her questioner sighed and turned to his fel- 
lows, who nodded to him gravely. 

“Then,” said he, again turning to the king, 
“we find that the conduct of the Princess Ilalah 
290 



He drew the bowstring 


to 


his chin. 


t 




The Sacrifice 


merits punishment, and the punishment is death !” 

The king smiled triumphantly and cast a look 
around the assemblage. Not a man or woman 
returned his smile. They stood steadfast as 
rocks, and only the little arrow-maker gave way 
to his grief by bowing his head in his hands and 
sobbing most pitifully. 

“We also find,” continued the grave chief- 
tain, breaking the painful pause, “that the law 
forbids any Techla to lift a hand against one 
of the royal blood; and especially is that person 
immune who is next in succession to the throne.” 

This statement caused a thrill that could not 
be repressed to pass through the crowd. The 
natives looked on one another curiously, but sat- 
isfaction lurked in their dark eyes. 

I began to like these people. In themselves 
they were not especially disposed to evil, but their 
fiendish king had dictated their thoughts and 
actions for so long that they were virtually the 
slaves of his whims. 

“Therefore,” said the chief, speaking in a firm 
voice, “who will execute our decree of death upon 
the royal princess?.” 


291 


Sam Steele in Panama 

‘1 will!'' cried Nalig-Nad, springing to his 
feet. ‘The king is bound by no law save his own 
will. The girl is condemned to death, and die 
she shall !" 

With a lightning gesture he caught up his bow 
and notched an arrow. 

I looked toward Ilalah. Her face was palid 
and set but she did not flinch for an instant. One 
fleeting glance she gave into Duncan's face and 
then turned her eyes steadily upon her fierce and 
enraged sire. 

The king did not hesitate. He drew the bow- 
string to his chin, took rapid aim, and loosed the 
deadly shaft. 

A cry burst from the assemblage, and even 
while it rang in my ears I saw Tcharn leap into 
the air before the princess, receive the arrow in 
his own breast, and then fall writhing in agony 
upon the ground. 


292 


CHAPTER XXII 


THE THRUST OF A SPEAR 

Instantly there was tumult all about us. 
The crowd broke and surged toward the central 
point in the tragedy, forcing us who were in 
front to struggle on the crest of the wave. Their 
reserve vanished and each man cried to his neigh- 
bor in eager tones and allowed the mad excite- 
ment of the moment full sway. 

Some one cut Ilalah’s bonds and the girl sank 
to the ground to support the head of the little 
arrow-maker upon her breast, pressing back his 
thin locks and tenderly kissing him upon the fore- 
head. 

But he knew nothing of this grateful kind- 
ness. His eyes were set and glazed, for the ar- 
row had lodged in his heart. 

A tug at my thong threatened to strangle me, 
for Moit had bounded forward to kneel beside 
Ilalah and try to assist her in spite of his own 

293 


Sam Steele in Panama 


helpless condition. Then some semblance of or- 
der was restored and our guards pushed us back 
and eased the thong which was fast throttling 
me. 

From the murmured words of the natives I 
gathered that Tcharn had atoned by his sacri- 
fice for all the guilt charged against the princess, 
as the law declared that when the death penalty 
was imposed another could die instead of the 
condemned and so set him free. 

For this reason the king was raging like a 
wild beast and threatening those who expressed 
sympathy for the girl who had so miraculously 
escaped his brutal vengeance. 

“But the whites, at least, shall die — and the 
black men who are with them !’^ he shouted aloud, 
casting at us such glances of hatred and ferocity 
that we knew our fate was sealed. 

They had carried poor Tcharn away and the 
princess had risen to her feet and now stood 
bravely confronting her father. 

“It is folly to talk of injuring these strangers,^’ 
she answered him, boldly. “I alone know their 


294 


The Thrust of a Spear 

wonderful powers and that they are able to crush 
us all if we dare attempt to harm them/’ 

The king let out a disdainful roar, but Ilalah’s 
words impressed many in the crowd and caused 
the Techlas to murmur again. 

‘‘What can they do” asked Nalig-Nad, de- 
risively. “They are but human and they are in 
our power.” 

“They have their magic chariot,” she said, 
“which you all know can deal death and destruc- 
tion to their foes.” 

“Magic !” retorted the king, laughing boister- 
ously; “do you call that poor, man-made con- 
trivance magic?” 

All eyes turned toward the opening, where 
a hundred yards beyond the broken wall poor 
Moit’s automobile was standing motionless as we 
had left it. 

Most of those present had witnessed the ma- 
chine’s marvelous performances, and in nearly 
every face now lurked an expression of awe or 
apprehension. Nalig-Nad saw the look, and it 
aroused him to fury. 


295 


Sam Steele in Panama 


‘^Come he cried, will prove that the white 
men have no magic.” 

Seizing a heavy, bronze-tipped spear from an 
attendant he ran from the enclosure and made 
directly for the automobile, followed by a crowd 
of his most devoted adherents. The others, with 
us, remained to watch curiously what he 
would do. 

I saw Moit’s face pale and his lips tremble; 
but he stood firm and steadfast while the king 
rushed upon his beloved machine and with a pow- 
erful stroke drove the spear clean through the 
plates of sheathing which protected the body. 

I own I was amazed at such a display of 
strength, but a more athletic savage than Nalig- 
Nad I have never beheld. When the jagged rent 
was torn in the side of the automobile the crowd 
that surrounded it danced gleefully and jeered at 
the helpless child of our poor inventor’s brain 
as if it were alive and could feel their scorn. 

Again Nalig-Nad seized a spear and hurled 
it at the side of the machine, piercing once more 
the light but stout metal. A third went crash- 
ing into the automobile, and then — 

296 


The Thrust of a Spear 

And then it seemed as though the world had 
suddenly come to an end. 

I was dashed so forcibly against the huge 
body of my guard that where he fell upon the 
hard earth his head was crushed in like an egg- 
shell. But I did not know this until I came to 
my senses and heard the sounds of moaning all 
around me and saw the ground covered with the 
forms of the stricken natives. 

A knife severed my bonds and set me free, 
and I staggered to my feet to find Ilalah and Dun- 
can Moit supporting me until I could recover 
sufficiently to stand alone. 

Nux and Bryonia, all unhurt, were busy re- 
storing the bruised and bewildered Techlas to 
consciousness, while Uncle Naboth sat upon the 
king’s bench, his clothing torn to tatters, and 
wiped away with his red handkerchief the blood 
that trickled from a cut in his head. 

I looked around wonderingly, trying to 
imagine what had happened, and saw a piece of 
dull silver metal driven edgewise into the front 
of the palace, where it was wedged firmly into 
the hard clay. That gave me a hint, and I looked 
297 


Sam Steele in Panama 


out Upon the plain where the automobile had 
stood and found that it had disappeared. So 
had Nalig-Nad and the crowd of furious natives 
that had surrounded him as he plunged his spear 
into the heart of Duncan Moit’s great inven- 
tion. 

Then I remembered the can of glycerine ex- 
plosive and knew the whole terrible story in an 
instant. The spear-point had made Ilalah Queen 
of the Techlas. It had also deprived her lover 
of the perfect fruit of years of inspired thought 
and faithful toil. 


298 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE DESERTER 

While the village slowly recovered from the 
effects of this dreadful calamity and the unin- 
jured were caring for their less fortunate breth- 
ren, our party was ushered into a comfortable 
apartment of the palace and given food and drink 
and such comforts as the place afforded. 

We saw nothing of Ilalah at the time, for 
with those chiefs left to her she was doing her 
best to relieve the misery of the stricken village. 
Moit was with her, alert and active, keeping 
constantly by her side and eagerly assisting her 
in the work of mercy. This I learned afterward. 
Just then I imagined him frantic with grief and 
despair, and I found myself regretting the de- 
struction of his great invention even more than 
the loss of life caused by the explosive. The 
dead were unimportant savages; the machine 
that had perished with them was the most splen- 
299 


Sam Steele in Panama 


did achievement, I firmly believe, that any man 
in any era of civilization has ever been able to 
boast. 

But when toward evening Duncan Moit came 
to us with Ilalah, I was astonished at his placid 
stoicism. Grieved he certainly was, but his face 
expressed resolve and thoughtfulness more than 
despair. 

‘‘I’m awfully sorry, old man,” I said, laying 
a sympathetic hand upon his shoulder. “I know 
how long and tedious the time will seem until 
you are able to construct another machine as per- 
fect as the one you have lost.” 

He shuddered a little at my words but re- 
plied gently: 

“Sam, I shall never build another machine. 
That dream is over.” 

“Over!” I cried, astonished. “What do you 
mean? Will you abandon all your ambitions — 
the certain fortune that awaits you — the ap- 
plause and admiration of your fellow men?” 

“What do they all amount to?” he asked. 
“Yes; I abandon them. I’m going to live with 
Ilalah.” 


300 


The Deserter 


“Here?” 

“Here; in the half savage and almost un- 
known land of the Techlas. The result of years 
of labor has been wiped out of existence in a 
flash, and I have not the courage to begin all over 
again. I have no patterns of the machine and 
the drawing^ and specifications all were destroyed 
with it. I could never build another that would 
equal it in perfection. But why should I attempt 
it ? I do not need an automobile here. I do not 
need fortune, or fame, or anything but love ; and 
this Ilalah has given me freely.” 

“Do I understand you to mean that you will 
always remain in this forsaken country?” 

“That is my intention,” he said. “I shall 
help my wife to rule her people and in her com- 
panionship be happy in a simple, natural way.” 

We argued with him long and earnestly, 
while Ilalah sat beside him silent and smiling 
but very sure that we could not prevail over his 
sudden but preposterous resolution. 

They found a few scraps of what they be- 
lieved to have once been Nalig-Nad, and that 
night the remains were consumed with fire, ac- 
301 


Sam Steele in Panama 


companied by many impressive ceremonies. 
Other funeral pyres burned also, both in the en- 
closure and on the plain beyond; for the most 
malignant of the green chiefs had followed the 
king to assist him in destroying the automobile 
and had therefore shared his fate. 

Bright and early next morning Ned Britton 
appeared at the edge of the forest leading his 
band of seamen to our rescue. We advanced 
eagerly to meet him and told him the news of 
the king's destruction and of our altered stand- 
ing with the new ruler of the San Bias. Ned 
had heard and felt the explosion even on the 
wreck, but thought that it must have been an 
earthquake. 

The newcomers were not regarded with much 
favor by the Indians, yet I thought that we all 
assisted greatly to lend dignity to the day’s cere- 
monies, which included the formal acknowledg- 
ment of Ilalah as ruler and lawgiver of the nation 
and her subsequent marriage — a most primitive 
rite — to the inventor, Duncan Moit. Ilalah’s 
husband was next adopted as a Techla, and then 


The Deserter 


the excitement seemed to subside and the popu- 
lation settled down to business again. 

However, there was no denying the fact that 
the natives resented our presence among them 
and were ill at ease while we remained in the 
village. So I told ^‘King Duncan,” as Uncle 
Naboth insisted upon jocosely calling him, that we 
would make haste to return to our ship. 

He offered no objection to our going, but 
stated simply that it would be our wisest course. 
Then he hesitated a moment, as if embarrassed, 
and added: 

‘‘You must never come back, you know. The 
Techlas will live their own lives in their own 
way, and hereafter I am to be one of them and 
shall forget everything that exists outside our 
borders. We permit you to go freely now, as a 
return for your kindness to our queen ; but should 
you be daring enough to return at any time I 
warn you that you will be received as enemies, 
and opposed to the death.” 

“Will you become another Nalig-Nad, then?” 
I asked, indignant at the traitorous words. 

“In the future, as in the past, the demoraliz- 

303 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ing influences of the whites and their false civil- 
ization will be excluded from the dominions of 
the San Bias/’ he answered, coolly. “My wife 
will rule as her fathers did, in spite of the fact 
that one white man has been admitted into the 
community. You have been my friends, but 
when you leave me now you must forget our 
friendship, as I am resolved to do. Should you 
invade the country of the Techlas again, you do 
so at your peril.” 

This assertion, coming from one whom I had 
trusted and regarded as a faithful comrade, filled 
me with consternation not unmixed with resent- 
ment. But the man had always been peculiar 
and I tried to make allowances for his erratic 
nature. 

“Tell me, then,” I said, after a moment’s 
thought; “how about dividing those diamonds?” 

“They are yours. I have no use for such 
things now,” he added, a touch of sadness in his 
voice. “You are welcome to whatever share was 
due me — on one condition.” 

“What is that, Duncan?” 

“That you will tell no one where you found 

304 


The Deserter 

them and will promise never to return here for 
more.’’ 

I hesitated, and Uncle Naboth looked sorely 
disappointed. 

''It is my intention,” continued Moit, firmly, 
"to support the traditions of the Techlas. They 
must own nothing that will arouse the cupidity 
of the outside world, for only in this way will 
they be able to control their own territory. I am 
glad the audacious Tcharn is dead, and I will 
destroy all his pretty goldsmith work within the 
next few days. Also I shall have the valley of 
diamonds thoroughly searched and all the white 
pebbles cast into the sea. Therefore no tempta- 
tion will exist for you or your fellows to come 
here again. Our laws will be rigidly maintained, 
and any strangers, white or black, who defy them 
will be severely punished.” 

Yes, I had always suspected a streak of mad- 
ness in Moit. Perhaps the destruction of his 
marvelous invention had served to unbalance a 
mind already insecurely seated. Anyway, I 
could see that he was in deadly earnest and that 
any argument would be useless. My compan- 

305 


Sam Steele in Panama 


ions, also, noted a strange glitter in his eyes that 
warned them he would not lift a finger to save 
their lives if they again ventured to invade the 
country ruled by Queen Ilalah. 

So, with regret, we submitted to the inevita- 
ble. We bade Duncan Moit and his beautiful bride 
farewell and marched away through the forest 
till we came to the banks of the river, where the 
wreck lay in plain sight. A strong escort of 
silent natives watched us until we were all on 
board, and then they melted away and disap- 
peared like ghosts. 

I have never seen the inventor since, or 
stepped a foot upon the land of the Techlas. 


306 


CHAPTER XXIV 


WE LEAVE PANAMA 

Well, the story is told, as you may easily 
guess. 

Uncle Naboth and I ran up to Colon, and 
not liking that city took a train across the isthmus 
to Panama, which we liked no better. The half- 
caste Spaniards and natives are a miserable lot, 
and do not compare either in intelligence or dig- 
nity with the isolated tribes of the San Bias. 
Some day, however, when the great canal is 
built, Americans will invade these parts in such 
numbers that the present population will disap- 
pear. 

It is a mistake to think the climate of Panama 
unhealthful. On the uplands, both north and 
south of the depression where the canal zone is 
established, it is as healthful as any tropical 
country in the world. In the zone itself, which 
is ten miles wide, bad sanitation caused by the 

307 


Sam Steele in Panama 


carelessness of the French workmen used con- 
stantly to breed fevers and disease. The Ameri- 
cans are now busily cleansing the Augean stables 
and good sanitary conditions are rapidly being 
established. But I will say this : that unless one 
has business in Panama he may readily discover 
a more desirable location for a residence. 

We soon returned to the wreck, which we 
preferred to the towns of the isthmus, and there 
amused ourselves until the Carmenia arrived at 
Colon. Then her captain, an active and ener- 
getic young man named Colton, took charge of 
the remains of the Gladys H. He had received 
orders to remove the cargo, strip the wreck of all 
valuables and then abandon her where she lay. 

He brought his ship alongside with ease and 
as soon as he was in charge and had given me 
a receipt, our people removed their personal pos- 
sessions and were rowed round to Colon, where 
a steamer was shortly due that would carry us 
to New Orleans. 

I kept an eye upon the forest for Moit, think- 
ing he might appear to bid us good-bye; but he 


308 


We Leave Panama 


did not. We warned Captain Colton not to land 
in the San Bias country, but did not confide to 
him any part of our recent remarkable experi- 
ences. 

A few days later we caught the steamer and 
made a quick voyage across the gulf. We 
reached Chelsea on the twelfth day of February, 
and were warmly welcomed by my father, who 
reported the Seagull nearing completion. 

The diamonds were sold for a surprising 
amount of money, because the stones proved ex- 
ceptionally large and perfect, and the proceeds 
were equally divided between Ned Britton, Uncle 
Naboth and myself. We had selected three good 
specimens of the ^Vhite pebbles’’ to sell for the 
benefit of our faithful seamen, and the amount 
of prize money they received from this source 
greatly delighted them. Nux and Bryonia 
would never accept anything in the way of money 
at all. They said that they belonged to Uncle 
Naboth and ''Mars Sam,” and they knew very 
well that whatever we had they were welcome to. 


309 


Sam Steele in Panama 


Neither Mr. Harlan nor his company ever 
blamed me for the loss of the Gladys H. It was 
one of those fateful occurrences that mortal man 
is powerless to control. 


310 










jSwfi’' '- ■ ■•'-'rjf ■ •' --'Ji Sf:' '■ ■ :' •)’ 

WlAffr ’ C J*’ ' •■ ?vJ» 4-‘’N t ,'•;/!, V. ^ ^ ‘ * ■ * >■ ‘ T<^ 




. 




k.' 




1 • 




.,t 


‘ 2 *;^ -i-fcft. - 

^■.■ ■' . tV 











M'' 


***< '■ ■; , 


I * 


’ 






7 


' ■ V. 






■h > 





ly '■ '* 


• ^ *• MA. 4 * ♦ - •. * 

■ •' '' ' 

,....,- ■ . .■. , ,; -i?' <'^- ' , 

■'- ' 1 / 




• t 




•1 

» 7 u . 








' . ji » 

j r 


. . ' , • ■ ' . : ^ iL/t:. 

>; V c; ^ '‘:a ‘' 

vj’ . 11 - K 




:<i i-''''^’'“-' 

11 ^ • ■' .Xij/ «r -• 


' ' r ■*:^ 


^■ , 




** 


^ fv Wn. ^ J] 


■ t' 



'W' 







#r ^ > V, 


' !V • .“i,?. ljL 




f 


■ * ' ^ » - - 

■ ' • »t‘ »>• ' 


I. * 


il l ■ 

mi’' ■ : 




• , * 



V' - 


if 


it 


» " g r yMUTAA. 






*. f/". • 


■» f 




^ - 


\t ’ <• '^ ‘ . ♦ ' 


/ r 




' I 


..■-.•ftllF' . ■■ ■! 


‘ > f * f. ^ 


) - 


.'N ' v V'^ 3 / 2 ' A V ,"'i 






- * 


.H 


tt 


. V 


" ' 1 


. . .^ '. ,” i '^. • 



A-:. 


. K 


VI 


t 


■r ' . ' * 




» s 


rx 


' '' T 

, 1 - * 

' ’ ff 

V- 

■' ' 1 

■rv 

^ ■ 

-.^-r 

' -r 


o- 



' 


.. iili^:ik 


. ’T- » ■•. ^ » 


''^1 * 
•?// 


■ ' > 

, ' >^A -' y ' 


? “ 

,, , Ai 






. i fc 





I 





